Chapter 366 - Martial Arts Competition

“Yes, I've had some fortunate encounters.” Chen Fan nodded, being open about it. He shared his experience in the Nebulous Mysterious Realm with Wei Buyu.

Wei Buyu’s eyes lit up, and he said, “You actually went to the Wuning Empire just in time to enter the Nebulous Mysterious Realm. How truly unexpected. That explains why your cultivation rose so quickly. You truly are a blessed one.

“The news of the Nebulous Mysterious Realm reached the Great Chu Empire just recently. Many regret not seizing the opportunity, but you did. Not bad. Not bad, indeed.”

Chen Fan laughed lightly and said, “I just got lucky.”

Wei Buyu waved his hand and continued, “Anyway, now that you’re at the ninth level, the Core Formation realm is within sight. Conveniently, the Four Sects Martial Arts Competition is just a month away. You have heard of it, right?”

Chen Fan nodded and said, “When I returned, I did overhear some people talking about it, though I’m not clear on the specifics.”

“It’s quite straightforward. Every three years, the Floating Cloud Sword Sect, Burning Incense Valley, Mountain River Sect, and our Spring Autumn Sect organize a grand competition for their inner sect disciples. Each time, a different sect hosts it. This time, it's our Spring Autumn Sect's turn.

“Given your current cultivation level, you are likely at the top among the four sects’ inner sect disciples, so you can compete for the top spot," Wei Buyu remarked. “I’ll tell you this in advance: the competition winner will receive an Extreme Profound Elixir. This rare elixir can help an Illusory Core realm disciple advance to the Core Formation realm quickly. You can get to the Core Formation realm quite soon if you get it.”

“Extreme Profound Elixir...” Chen Fan repeated silently, his eyes gleaming with determination.

He returned to the sect to prepare for breaking through to the Core Formation realm. So, he was now determined to take the top spot in this Four Sects Martial Arts Competition.

“How is it? Are you confident?” Wei Buyu smiled, looking at Chen Fan.

Chen Fan asked, “Master, will the sects’ holy disciples participate in the competition?

Wei Buyu shook his head and said, “The four great sects’ holy disciples will not be taking part. After all, they are Core Formation realm experts. The Extreme Profound Elixir isn’t very useful to them.”

“That’s good, then. As long as holy disciples are not participating in the competition, I can take first place.” Chen Fan appeared confident and sharp.

The Extreme Profound Elixir was within his grasp. No one could wrest it away from him.

“Oh, you are quite confident. That’s a good thing, but you’d best not get careless.”

Wei Buyu’s expression became serious, and he urged, “Although you're at the ninth level, all four sects have Illusory Core realm disciples. They also want the Extreme Profound Elixir. After all, it can save them a year or so of bitter cultivation, allowing them to reach the Core Formation realm sooner and become a holy disciple.”

"Please elaborate, Master." Chen Fan did not act arrogantly. Although he was strong and did not fear anyone in the Illusory Core realm, he remained cautious to avoid unforeseen setbacks.

Chen Fan understood that anyone capable of reaching the Illusory Core realm was formidable, warranting his utmost vigilance.

“I’m not too sure about the situation in the other three sects, but I can advise you on potential adversaries within our Spring Autumn Sect," Wei Buyu offered.

“Please advise me, Master.”

“Firstly, there's Yuan Kun, a core disciple from the Heaven's Alliance," Wei Buyu said. “He reached the Illusory Core realm three years ago and has been getting pointers and various treasures from Duan Jingtian. His illusory core is about sixty to seventy percent solid. He has powerful methods and can even exchange a few blows with a first-level Core Formation realm expert.

“The second person is Xu Jing. She doesn’t belong to any circles, but she has exceptional talent. Don’t look down on her just because she’s a woman; she possesses a unique bloodline. Her Three Heavens Golden Ksetra Cultivation Technique is a middle-earth tier cultivation technique. She walks the path of strength, and her illusory core is fifty percent solid.[1]

“The third person is Xie Feng. He’s also from the Heaven’s Alliance, and his illusory core should be thirty to forty percent solid.

“And there’s also...”

Wei Buyu shared all he knew with Chen Fan, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the inner sect's core disciples.

Only a handful of the core disciples of the Spring Autumn Sect were in the Illusory Core realm.

Take Yuan Kun, for example. He was close to reaching the Core Formation realm but could exchange blows with a first-level Core Formation realm expert. He was powerful.

“Thank you for the insights, Master, but rest assured, no one can wrest first place from me in the Four Sects Martial Arts Competition!” Chen Fan sounded as confident as ever, his vigor unrivaled.

“It’s great that you have such confidence. I believe in you, too,” Wei Buyu said, nodding. He could tell that it wasn’t blind confidence but absolute confidence one had in their strength.

“Alright, there’s still a month. Make good use of it to cultivate and improve yourself further to ensure your victory.”

“I’ll take my leave, then.”

Chen Fan left Wei Buyu’s place and returned to his loft. With every moment precious, he dedicated himself to practice.

Although he had reached the ninth level quickly, the pressure he felt inside was still enormous.

Advancing from the ninth level of the Yuanfu realm to the ninth level of the Core Formation realm in a little over a year was more than ten times harder than going from being a Qi Grandmaster to a ninth-level Yuanfu realm expert.

So, he could not afford to waste any time. He had to seize all opportunities that could increase his strength.

According to his estimation, if he wanted to advance to the Core Formation realm through regular cultivation, he would need half a year, and the Extreme Profound Elixir could save him more than half of that time.

What he needed to do right now was to raise his cultivation level to the peak of the ninth level before the Four Sects Martial Arts Competition began.

He could immediately try to advance to the Core Formation realm after obtaining the Extreme Profound Elixir, saving at least three to four months.

“Alright, I shall stay in my loft this month and silently cultivate to improve my cultivation further. In any case, I have enough demon cores.”

Chen Fan’s eyes flickered with light.

He had three Illusory Core realm demon cores, which he got from the ancient piranha kings. A month was enough for him to push his cultivation to the peak of the ninth level.

Just as Chen Fan was about to take out the demon core and start cultivating, his hands suddenly stopped. He slowly turned to look outside and said, “Which senior brother has come to visit me?

Swish, swish, swish...

The sound of wind resounded outside. A voice came in. “Chen Fan, come out and receive your punishments for your sins!”

1. Ksetra is a Sanskrit word that means land or domain. ☜