Chapter 372 - There Is Always Someone Stronger

Many elite disciples of the Spring Autumn Sect emerged from the battlefield in succession before long. Some were carried out, while others seemed jubilant, signifying their victories.

Chen Fan also saw Mu Chen, Lu Yun, and the others.

Mu Chen and Lu Yun were glowing with smiles on their faces, but Wei Rufeng looked miserable and depressed.

Chen Fan said, “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Mu Chen and the others nodded.

Chen Fan looked at Wei Rufeng and said, “A defeat in this martial arts competition does not mean anything. Consider it a means to hone your skills. There's ample time ahead to improve.”

Mu Chen and Lu Yun nodded repeatedly. They patted Wei Rufeng’s shoulder and said, “Chen Fan is right; don't take this defeat to heart. You still have a long time ahead of you.”

Wei Rufeng nodded, but his expression remained sullen.

Chen Fan did not harp on any further. He turned to Mu Chen and Lu Yun and warned, “You guys should also be careful. This event carries considerable risk; your lives are at stake.”

In such a large-scale martial arts competition, fatalities were not uncommon.

If the disciples died in their matches, the four great sects would not pursue the matter. However, the backers of the fallen disciples would surely seek revenge in the future. Hence, participants often exercised restraint to avoid escalating feuds.

However, if two people with existing feuds met in the competition, then it would turn into a fight to the death.

For example, if Chen Fan encountered an alliance member, he would never show them any mercy.

The first round of competition concluded, leaving a myriad of emotions in its wake. Sadness, joy, worry, grief, unease, and confidence mingled among the participants.

Countless emotions hovered over the skies of the central battlefield. Chen Fan felt the emotions and grounded his thoughts again.

Meanwhile, a different kind of conversation was happening at the highest stands shrouded by the curtains of light.

Chen Fan could not see the Core Formation experts or the other higher-ups. However, they could see every detail, including the battles on the battlefield.

Behind the curtains of light was an independent, temporary space. The unique space was created by the combined might of its occupants.

The Core Formation realm Grand Elders of the Spring Autumn Sect were all gathered there.

Gathered within were the esteemed Grand Elders of the Spring Autumn Sect, alongside rarely seen figures like Wei Buyu, Chen Muyang, and Elder Liehuo. [1]

Sitting next to these Core Formation realm experts were the holy disciples. Each of them had solemn expressions on their faces like they were wood blocks.

Alongside the Spring Autumn Sect's elders sat counterparts from other sects, sect masters, and cult leaders, as well as invited rogue cultivators. [ref] Sect masters as in outer sect master and inner sect master.[\ref]

However, the Sect Leaders of the four great sects did not show up in this space.

The voice earlier had come from a faraway location through a supreme voice transmission art.

A dragged-out voice came from below. “Reporting!”

Four silhouettes entered the space. They were holy disciples at the first level of the Core Formation realm. They had been collectively appointed by the four great sects to oversee the tournament's progress.

“The results for the first round are out. Currently, the Floating Cloud Sword Sect leads in advancing contestants, followed by the Spring Autumn Sect, Burning Incense Valley, and Mountain River Sect.”

Simultaneously, they relayed the standings to the assembled grand elders from each sect.

“Haha, it seems that our Floating Cloud Sword Sect will keep this lead until the end.” The Floating Cloud Sword Sect’s grand elders all laughed.

The Floating Cloud Sword Sect, rooted in the path of the sword, predominantly nurtured sword cultivators. Sword cultivators had high attack power, so when fighting those at the same cultivation level, they usually came out on top.

Therefore, the results of the first round were within the expectations of the grand elders.

“Is that so? Quantity is secondary in this competition. True greatness lies in producing exceptional talents. Not even a hundred thousand elite disciples can match up to a single true exceptional genius,” said a grand elder of the Mountain River Sect. There was a divine halo at the back of his head; he looked like a deity resting in the mortal world.

He smiled coldly and said, “Our sect has unearthed such talents this time. Who's to say your Floating Cloud Sword Sect won't falter, making way for our disciples to claim the top spots?"

“That is impossible.” A grand elder of the Floating Cloud Sword Sect smiled plainly. “We’ll have to see who’s stronger.”

“No need for all this. We’ll find out which sect’s genius is stronger very soon. I’m sure you people still remember Yun He, an inner court disciple of our Burning Incense Valley, from the last martial arts competition. He defeated many Yuanfu realm experts when he was just a Qi Grandmaster. He is now at the eighth level of the Yuanfu realm. He’ll win the top prize. Not even Illusory Core realms are his match,” said a grand elder from Burning Incense Valley.

When it came to determining seniority among the four esteemed clans, the success of any disciple reflected honor upon the entire sect.

“In that case, let's see whose genius shines brighter! Pass down the order. Continue the competition!” The numerous grand elders of the Spring Autumn Sect waved their hands fiercely.

The melodious chimes of the bell resounded once more, signaling the resumption of intense battles.

Chen Fan stood up, followed the guidance from his token, and entered the space in the central battlefield again.

His second-round opponent soon appeared—a youth even younger than himself. He appeared mature and steady and seemed about fifteen or sixteen years old. However, his eyes were very stern. He looked at Chen Fan and said, “Burning Incense Valley, Ren Yihang, please instruct me.”

Instantly, a formidable aura enveloped the teenager. Behind him, a majestic tiger manifested from his primeval energy, radiating unparalleled strength.

Ren Yihang moved, disappearing from his spot. He reappeared behind Chen Fan and attacked. “Black Tiger Rips Heart!”

However, Chen Fan’s aura erupted as soon as he unleashed his attack. A terrifying force spread, generating ripples, and collided with Ren Yihang’s attack.

Like a block of tofu smashing onto a rock, it broke apart. The ferocious tiger at his back also dispersed with a whimper.

Ren Yihang did not even have the time to react to the situation before an object in his possession shattered—it was his token.

Chen Fan noticed that the teen still wanted to attack, so he said indifferently, “You’ve lost. No need to fight anymore. I don’t wish to hurt anyone.”

Ren Yihang’s face was filled with shock, as he had just realized his token had shattered. His eyes immediately went wide, and he roared furiously, “How is this possible?! You just channeled your aura! How can that break my token?! How are you even an elite disciple with that cultivation? I can defeat core disciples, people at the fifth level. How can you be stronger than me?”

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“There’s always someone stronger,” Chen Fan said indifferently, and he left the place with a flash.

1. Chen Muyang is Chen Changfeng’s grandfather, while Elder Liehuo appeared in 221 as a spectator in Duan Jingtian and Zhong Ya’s duel. ☜