Each session of Qingyang Commandery’s sect competition had only a few hundred participants, while Pingyang Commandery had over two thousand—this was the gap between a ninth-class commandery and an eighth-class commandery.

Not only were the numbers greater, but the strength was also exceptionally formidable.

Relying on his Radiant Sunglasses, Jun Changxiao discovered that the participants’ cultivation levels ranged from a minimum of first-grade Wutu, with fourth and fifth-grade Wutu everywhere, and there were even four at the highest level of ninth-grade Wutu.

In Qingyang Commandery’s sect competition, first and second-grade Wutu were top championship contenders, but here they could only exist at the bottom.

Actually, this large disparity was created because Pingyang Commandery’s sect competition allowed martial artists under twenty years old to register and participate.

Qingyang Commandery limited it to under eighteen. The two-year difference clearly resulted in different strength levels.

Of course.

The eighth-class Pingyang Commandery being stronger than the ninth-class Qingyang Commandery was an indisputable fact.

“Eh?”

A faction leader sitting nearby said in a low voice: “What is that thing the Iron Bones Sect Leader is wearing on his eyes?”

“Hmph.”

A certain sect’s high-ranking member said disdainfully: “Something for pretending to be mysterious.”

“A ninth-class commandery’s eighth-tier sect actually dares to participate in our Pingyang Commandery’s sect competition—who gave him such courage?”

“I heard this Iron Bones Sect went to challenge the Righteous Qi Sect and won the victory.”

“This old man has also heard a bit about this matter. It seems they sent seven disciples to battle and won all seven matches, and that Sect Leader Qin even lost to him.”

“No way, an eighth-tier sect is that formidable?”

Below, Suiyang City’s City Lord was explaining the competition rules while the various faction leaders chatted idly.

From their words, it wasn’t hard to hear how incredibly unbelievable it was that the Iron Bones Sect could defeat the Righteous Qi Sect.

Jun Changxiao listened carefully to the competition rules.

He roughly understood that Pingyang Commandery’s first round competition rule was that the eight areas would have grand melees, and those who could still stand within the allotted time could advance to the second round.

Tsk tsk.

Each area had at least three hundred people—the melee would definitely be lively.

After the organizer, Suiyang City’s City Lord, finished explaining the rules, he began calling roll for the participants.

“Crane Mountain Sect, Xiong Gui!”

“Sparrow Gate…”

“Qingyang Commandery, Iron Bones Clanging Sect, Ye Xingchen!”

“Present.”

Ye Xingchen replied lazily.

If it weren’t to confirm whether participants were present or not, he wouldn’t even bother answering.

However, the spectator stands erupted, with all the martial artists looking at Ye Xingchen and discussing in low voices.

“What the hell, this year’s sect competition, even people from outer commanderies are participating?”

“The neighboring ninth-class Qingyang Commandery?”

“Isn’t the Iron Bones Sect that eighth-tier sect that defeated the Righteous Qi Sect a while ago?”

“A ninth-class commandery’s eighth-tier sect coming to participate in our Pingyang Commandery’s sect competition—do they really think they’re something special?”

When the various leaders discussed, they still paid some attention to appearances, but these Pingyang Commandery martial artists displayed that disdain and contempt vividly.

Even though the Iron Bones Sect could defeat the Righteous Qi Sect, in their eyes, it was ultimately just a low-class sect from a low-class commandery. Coming to participate in Pingyang Commandery’s competition was simply disgracing this event.

“Qingyang Commandery’s Iron Bones Sect?”

“Hehe, their courage really is quite large, daring to come compete.”

“Too bad we’re not in the same competition area, otherwise we’d have to humiliate and eliminate him in the first round.”

The participating disciples from various sects were also discussing in low voices.

A martial artist standing beside Ye Xingchen muttered: “So he’s from Qingyang Commandery—no wonder his face is so unfamiliar.”

The other participants in the same competition area also turned their gazes over, the corners of their mouths rising in disdainful smiles.

Confirmed with a glance.

This guy would be the first person eliminated after the competition started.

Sensing everyone staring at him with gazes full of disdain and contempt, Ye Xingchen said indifferently: “A bunch of trash.”

Jun Changxiao, sitting above, stroked his chin and said: “When the first round starts, Xingchen is probably going to receive special attention.”

Soon.

Roll call ended.

The Pingyang Commandery martial artists, not hearing a second participant’s name from Qingyang Commandery, realized that the Iron Bones Sect had only sent one person to participate.

An eighth-tier sect sending one disciple to compete—how utterly… laughable!

“Sect Leader Jun.”

A middle-aged man nearby smiled: “This Qi truly admires your courage, daring to bring one disciple to participate in the sect competition.”

Jun Changxiao said: “It’s alright.”

That middle-aged man shook his head.

Last time a sixth-tier sect crossed commanderies to participate, all ten disciples were completely annihilated in the first round. You’re sending one disciple—are you sure you’re not joking?

“Elder Qi.”

Someone laughed: “When the competition starts, the third area should have some entertainment to watch.”

“Indeed, when over three hundred people collectively target one person, if he can last half a quarter-hour, that would be a miracle.”

The various faction leaders all laughed.

Jun Changxiao paid them no mind, thinking inwardly: “Xingchen, this first round grand melee is somewhat brutal—don’t disappoint this seat.”

Just then, Suiyang City’s City Lord announced loudly: “The sixty-sixth Pingyang Commandery Sect Competition officially begins. Participants, please enter your respective competition areas.”

“It’s starting!”

“I can’t wait!”

“The participants’ strength is good this time—it’s definitely going to be exciting!”

…

The competition field had a total of eight competition areas, each area about half the size of a soccer field.

Ye Xingchen, representing the Iron Bones Sect, was assigned to competition area number three. When he walked over, the over three hundred nearby participants all turned their gazes toward him.

Without a doubt.

They had all locked onto this outer commandery participant. Once the competition started, they would unite against the outsider.

Wasn’t this too much bullying?

No choice—this was Pingyang Commandery’s sect competition.

Since you, an outsider, chose to participate, you had to be prepared to be targeted.

Aside from powerful sects that enjoyed challenging excitement occasionally trying it out, sects from other commanderies wouldn’t invite such trouble to participate.

“Kid.”

A participant passed in front of Ye Xingchen and said with a low laugh: “When the competition starts, you absolutely must not cry.”

Cry?

Ye Xingchen memorized this fellow’s face.

…

Everyone in position, the eight competition areas contained over two thousand participants. Viewing from above, the scene was quite spectacular.

“First round, begin!”

Shortly after, Suiyang City’s City Lord shouted loudly.

“Whoosh! Whoosh!”

Instantly, the participants in the eight competition areas erupted with their respective cultivation levels. The spreading spiritual energy created quite an imposing momentum.

When the competition officially began, most of the martial artists on the spectator stands shifted their gazes to the third competition area, their eyes locked on Ye Xingchen.

A person from an outer commandery.

Please properly experience our Pingyang Commandery’s way of receiving guests!

“Swish!”

A martial artist in the third competition area took the lead, charging from behind with his fist condensing spiritual energy.

“Slap!”

Ye Xingchen turned around, catching his fist with one palm: “Trash.”

“This…”

That participant’s expression changed.

“Crack!”

Ye Xingchen’s five fingers gripped forcefully, and the sound of bones shattering immediately rang out. Then his body shifted backward, dodging another person’s attack, and he kicked out.

“Bang!”

“Crack!”

The second attacking martial artist’s body hadn’t even stabilized when he was kicked in the chest, several ribs instantly breaking.

“Ahhh!”

The two participants screamed in agony.

“Swish!”

Ye Xingchen threw the fellow whose hand bones he’d crushed away, then using the Dragon-Crossing Steps, appeared before a martial artist, directly gripping his left shoulder and smiling sinisterly: “You don’t even have a chance to cry.”

“Crack!”

“Ahhh—”

The martial artist whose shoulder bone was crushed immediately screamed.

Yes.

He didn’t even have a chance to cry.

Because the pain came so suddenly, so heart-wrenching, that before tears could even begin gathering, he had already fainted and fallen to the ground.

Boom! Boom!

Ye Xingchen turned around, both fists shooting out, blasting away two attacking participants.

Standing proudly in the competition area, he swept his gaze across the over three hundred Pingyang Commandery participants surrounding him, his expression cold: “A bunch of trash, come fight.”