The day of the outer sect competition finally arrived.
Before sunrise itself, the entire Green Bamboo Sect had already become restless. Endless streams of disciples moved through the mountain pathways toward the massive outer disciple arena located near the center of the sect.
Excitement filled the air.
For many disciples, this competition represented their greatest opportunity to rise.
For others—
It was a battlefield to defend their pride, rankings, and reputation.
By the time Fang Lin arrived together with Li Shan's group, the arena was already overflowing with people.
Thousands of disciples filled the surrounding seats, while elders stood stationed across elevated platforms overlooking the enormous combat grounds below.
At the very top sat the two overseeing sides.
Black robes.
White robes.
Faction.
Alliance.
Even from afar, the invisible tension between both sides could be felt clearly.
Murong Yue stretched lazily while observing the crowd.
"So many people…"
Luo Chen laughed lightly.
"Of course. The outer sect competition only happens once every two years."
Fang Lin silently observed the sixteen combat platforms spread across the arena.
This competition—
Would not be simple.
A loud bell suddenly echoed throughout the arena.
BOOM.
The noise silenced the entire crowd instantly.
Then one of the white-robed Inner Sect elders stepped forward calmly.
"The Outer Sect Competition…"
"…begins now."
His voice spread across the entire arena clearly.
"The rules remain unchanged."
"One versus one."
"No outside interference."
"No intentional killing."
Soon afterward, another elder from the faction side spoke calmly,
"The first stage will determine the Top Sixteen participants."
"The current rankings below Rank 16 may be challenged."
"Victors advance."
"Defeat means elimination."
The atmosphere immediately became heated.
This was where countless disciples would fight desperately for qualification.
Names soon began appearing across the massive floating stone board above the arena.
One battle after another erupted instantly across the sixteen combat stages.
Qi explosions echoed continuously while disciples clashed fiercely beneath the eyes of thousands.
Some fights ended quickly.
Others dragged on brutally.
Blood occasionally stained the platforms while shattered weapons and cracked stone appeared repeatedly.
The competition atmosphere was far harsher than ordinary sparring.
No one held back.
Because everyone understood—
Only sixteen people would remain standing at the end.
Fang Lin quietly observed battle after battle.
The quality of the outer sect was far higher than expected.
Many seemingly ordinary disciples possessed hidden techniques or unusual combat styles.
Clearly—
The Green Bamboo Sect truly gathered monsters.
As time passed, more and more participants were eliminated.
Then suddenly—
The crowd erupted loudly.
A familiar name appeared.
"Zhou Yan!"
Murong Yue immediately smirked slightly.
"Oh? He recovered quickly."
On one of the combat stages, Zhou Yan slowly walked forward carrying his dark blade once more.
The moment he appeared, many disciples immediately began whispering.
Despite losing to Fang Lin earlier, Zhou Yan remained extremely strong compared to ordinary outer disciples.
Then—
Another name appeared opposite his.
"Fang Lin."
The arena instantly exploded into noise.
Li Shan chuckled softly.
"Well… this became interesting."
Across the arena, Zhou Yan's expression froze briefly.
Then slowly darkened.
Hatred immediately surfaced within his eyes the moment he saw Fang Lin step onto the platform.
Fang Lin calmly walked forward without changing expression.
The two stood facing each other once more.
Just like before.
But this time—
The atmosphere felt different.
Zhou Yan's eyes burned with humiliation and resentment.
Ever since his defeat, his reputation within the sect had dropped sharply. Countless disciples secretly mocked him for being defeated by a newcomer despite possessing superior cultivation and clan techniques.
All that humiliation—
Was because of Fang Lin.
"You again…" Zhou Yan said coldly.
Fang Lin looked at him calmly.
"You seem unlucky."
The surrounding disciples immediately reacted loudly.
Even now—
Fang Lin still spoke so directly.
Zhou Yan's grip around his blade tightened violently.
"This time…"
"I'll cripple you."
Boom.
Late-stage Qi Conjunction aura erupted outward instantly.
The pressure spread heavily across the platform.
But Fang Lin remained calm.
The elder overseeing the platform raised his hand.
"Begin."
The moment the words fell—
Zhou Yan exploded forward violently.
His blade slashed downward immediately with full force.
But Fang Lin moved first.
Flowing Wind Steps.
His figure blurred lightly.
The blade missed completely.
Before Zhou Yan could react—
Fang Lin already appeared beside him.
Too fast.
Much faster than before.
Zhou Yan's pupils contracted instantly.
Boom.
A palm strike slammed directly into his ribs.
Crack.
The sound of bones fracturing echoed clearly.
Zhou Yan coughed blood violently and staggered backward.
The crowd fell silent briefly.
Too fast.
Everything happened too quickly.
Zhou Yan roared angrily and slashed repeatedly.
But every attack missed.
Fang Lin moved effortlessly around him like flowing wind.
Then—
Boom.
Another palm strike landed against Zhou Yan's chest.
His body was blasted backward across the stage heavily.
The entire battle had lasted less than twenty breaths.
The crowd stared blankly.
Once again—
Zhou Yan had been crushed.
Completely.
And this time—
Even easier than before.
Fang Lin calmly stood at the center of the platform while Zhou Yan struggled painfully on the ground.
The humiliation in Zhou Yan's eyes deepened into something darker.
Hatred.
Pure hatred.
Not only had Fang Lin defeated him again—
He had done it publicly.
In front of the entire sect.
Again.
The elder overseeing the stage spoke calmly,
"Victory… Fang Lin."
The crowd erupted instantly.
"Too strong…"
"Zhou Yan couldn't even touch him…"
"His movement technique became even faster…"
Meanwhile, Zhou Yan slowly stood up trembling slightly.
His eyes remained fixed on Fang Lin with terrifying resentment.
For the first time—
Killing intent truly formed within his heart.
Not anger.
Not humiliation.
But genuine murderous intent.
Fang Lin glanced at him calmly before leaving the stage without another word.
That indifference—
Only deepened Zhou Yan's hatred further.
The competition continued.
Battle after battle passed rapidly.
Eventually—
Another important match arrived.
"Guo Ming versus Fang Lin."
The atmosphere immediately grew intense again.
Guo Ming.
Rank 16.
A dual-blade expert known for ruthless attacks and overwhelming speed.
The moment he stepped onto the platform, Fang Lin immediately sensed danger.
Unlike Zhou Yan—
Guo Ming felt calmer.
Sharper.
More experienced.
"You're troublesome," Guo Ming said calmly while drawing both blades.
Fang Lin replied simply,
"You can still surrender."
Guo Ming laughed coldly.
"Interesting."
The battle began instantly afterward.
This fight was far more difficult than Fang Lin's earlier battle.
Guo Ming's dual blades attacked continuously from impossible angles while his movement speed remained extremely high.
Several times, Fang Lin narrowly avoided dangerous strikes through Flowing Wind Steps.
The crowd became increasingly excited.
"This fight is real…"
"Guo Ming is much stronger than Zhou Yan…"
"He deserves Rank 16…"
But gradually—
The situation changed.
Fang Lin adapted.
His spiritual perception continuously analyzed Guo Ming's attack patterns.
Every movement.
Every shift in breathing.
Every weakness.
Then—
An opening appeared.
Boom.
Wind Break Palm exploded directly against Guo Ming's shoulder.
The force shattered his defense instantly.
Before Guo Ming could recover—
Fang Lin's sword appeared at his throat.
Silence filled the platform.
Guo Ming stared at the blade quietly for several moments.
Then slowly lowered his weapons.
"…I lost."
The crowd erupted again.
"Rank 16 changed!"
"Fang Lin entered the Top Sixteen!"
"He actually did it…"
Even many elders watching above narrowed their eyes slightly now.
Because Fang Lin's rise—
Was happening too quickly.
Meanwhile, among the faction seating area—
One person silently watched everything.
Chen Hao.
His expression remained calm externally.
But inwardly—
Something cold slowly formed.
Jealousy.
The moment Fang Lin defeated Guo Ming and officially entered the Top Sixteen, Chen Hao suddenly realized something dangerous.
Fang Lin's growth speed…
Was becoming abnormal.
Too abnormal.
And for the first time—
A thought quietly surfaced within his mind.
This person…
Could become a threat even to him one day.
The thought itself irritated Chen Hao deeply.
His eyes slowly narrowed.
A faint killing intent flashed briefly before disappearing once more.
No one noticed.
But deep within his mind—
A silent decision had already begun forming.
Fang Lin…
Could not be allowed to continue growing forever.