The grand Tri-Sect Competition was a big event, testing the power, smarts, and teamwork of the three strongest spirit sects. The elder, powerful and wise, explained the rules of the three-part contest designed to challenge every fighter.
The competition had three main parts, each needing different skills:
The first part was the Trial of Verdant Peaks. Fighters from each sect were dropped into a huge, wild mountain range. For three days, their goal was to find and gather rare spiritual plants and hidden spirit energy spots. Each find earned points for their sect. This area was dangerous, full of spiritual beasts and contested resources, meaning other sects would be after the same treasures. Working together within one's own sect was crucial, with being sneaky and smart about resources being key. Importantly, fighting members of other sects was strictly forbidden unless it was to defend oneself. This part was all about exploring, observing, and teamwork under pressure.
Next was the Gauntlet of Shifting Sands. This part directly tested fighting skills and toughness. Teams from each sect entered an arena to face endless waves of spirit beasts created by magic and tricky traps. The goal was to survive as long as possible and defeat as many as they could. Points were given based on how long they survived, how many creatures they defeated, and their team's condition at the end. This was where individual fighting styles and special moves were expected to shine. Unlike the first trial, fighting members of other sects was allowed here, especially if it gave a team an advantage, though it wouldn't directly add to points.
Finally, the competition ended with the Conclave of Harmonious Spirits. This last part was a battle of smarts, deep understanding, and spirit harmony. Each of the three great sects would show off their strongest spirit formations. The main task was two-fold: successfully breaking the other sects' formations while also protecting their own. This part needed not only great individual strength but also a deep understanding of spirit setups and perfect team coordination. The sect that managed to break both opposing formations, or kept their own formation while doing the most damage to others, would be named the winner. All abilities, without exception, were allowed in this deciding stage.
The overall winner would be the sect with the most points from all three challenging and different stages. The air at the competition was thick with excitement and tension as fighters from the Heaven Spirit Sect, Blossom Spirit Sect, and Thunder Spirit Sect got ready to fight for supremacy. The rules were clear, the stakes were high, and everything was set for a display of true fighting skill and smart thinking.
The misty woods of the Verdant Peaks seemed to hold many secrets as the fighters from the three great sects appeared among the trees. The air hummed not with the sound of battles, but with the quiet promise of hidden spirit energy, rare plants among the mossy stones, and the subtle rivalries already forming. For the Trial of Verdant Peaks, being quiet and observant was most important, as direct fighting was forbidden unless for defense.
Liang Tianyu, also known as Bai Xing, was part of the Heaven Spirit Sect's group. His Middle Nascent Soul cultivation was strong, but among the top fighters of the Heaven Spirit Sect, he was still an outsider, his true power hidden by Tai Bing Chi's influence. He moved easily, his senses, sharpened by millions of years of experience, sifting through the many spirit signs of the forest. Beside him, Qing Ya, a Peak Nascent Soul fighter, moved like a silent shadow, her focus intense.
"Remember the elder's words," Qing Ya whispered. "Every spirit plant, every small energy spot, adds up. Being quiet is our biggest strength."
Liang Tianyu nodded, looking across the old trees. "Indeed. The deeper we go, the richer the rewards. But also, the greater the dangers." He could already feel the faint pulses of powerful spirit beasts, their territories marked by small changes in the environment.
Their path took them through thick bushes and over dangerous rocky paths. Liang Tianyu's Five Spiritual Roots, passed down from Tai Bing Chi, connected with the world's spirit energy, guiding him to spots with rare plants. He easily found a group of Azure Lotus Blossoms, their petals glowing with a soft, fresh light – a valuable find. Qing Ya quickly gathered them, her movements neat and quick.
Meanwhile, the Blossom Spirit Sect, known for their skill with nature-based techniques, was just as busy. Li Mei, her recent breakthrough to Middle Nascent Soul making her even more important, moved with natural grace, her Sovereign Water Body seemingly one with the flowing streams and dewy leaves. Her companion, Xiao Long, the spirit snake, glided silently beside her, its sharp senses helping their search.
Li Mei's heart held a quiet longing. Though she carefully searched for spiritual resources, a part of her constantly wondered about Bai Xing. She knew he had gone to the Spiritual World, labeled as a rogue, and was now Liang Tianyu, or was he still the man who had saved her and trained with her for ten years? The thought was a subtle ache amidst the exciting hunt.
Jia Li, a Late Nascent Soul fighter from the Blossom Spirit Sect, moved nearby, her face serious. She was a careful gatherer, always focused on doing things efficiently. "Li Mei, we must go deeper," she urged quietly. "Mei Lin will expect nothing less than the best finds." Mei Lin, the Blossom Spirit Sect's powerful Peak Nascent Soul fighter, indeed held the top rank within their sect, her presence a silent pressure on everyone.
As they went deeper, the ground began to move, and the air grew heavy with an ancient, earthy spirit energy. Liang Tianyu sensed a massive spirit energy spot, a true prize. Just as he was about to signal Qing Ya, a low growl echoed through the trees. A Colossal Earth Bear, its fur matted with old moss and its eyes glowing with anger, came out of the shadows. It was a strong Mid-Grade Spiritual Beast, certainly a challenge even for Late Nascent Soul fighters.
"Stay hidden," Liang Tianyu whispered, his hand on his sword. "Its spirit core would be a huge point gain, but direct fighting is risky given the rules."
The Earth Bear lumbered towards a group of rare fungi, a resource Liang Tianyu had just found. Its very presence stopped anyone from getting close. Just then, a group from the Thunder Spirit Sect appeared on a nearby ridge. Their leader, a serious Peak Nascent Soul fighter named Lei Ming, immediately saw the Earth Bear and the valuable fungi. He exchanged a look with his team, a silent understanding passing between them.
The Thunder Spirit Sect, known for their aggressive tactics, clearly planned to wait out the bear or somehow get past it to claim the fungi. Liang Tianyu watched their movements, noting their patience. He then looked back at Qing Ya. "We need a distraction, not a fight," he whispered.
Using his deep understanding of formations and spirit energy, inherited from Tai Bing Chi, Liang Tianyu subtly sent a tiny bit of Qi, not at the bear, but at a cluster of spirit-attracting flowers further away. The faint spirit scent, carried by the wind, drifted towards the Colossal Earth Bear. The beast, sensing a new, though weaker, source of energy, turned its huge head, its growl softening into a curious rumble as it slowly moved towards the flowers.
The Thunder Spirit Sect fighters, who had been getting ready to make their move, watched in shock as the bear changed its focus. Seizing the chance, Liang Tianyu and Qing Ya quickly moved in, expertly gathering the fungi and several other rare plants before the Earth Bear could fully realize their presence or return.
"Clever," Qing Ya praised, a rare hint of a smile on her lips. "A subtle trick of its instincts. No direct fight, yet we gained from it."
As the first day ended, the Heaven Spirit Sect had gathered a good number of points, thanks in large part to Liang Tianyu's keen eye and smart decisions. But the Verdant Peaks were vast, and the other sects were just as determined.
The second day brought a change in plans. The sects began to meet more often, their paths crossing at valuable spirit energy spots. While open fighting was still forbidden, the air was thick with unspoken tension. Liang Tianyu found himself watching a Blossom Spirit Sect team, and among them, his eyes widened slightly as he recognized a familiar aura – Li Mei.
She was now a Middle Nascent Soul fighter, her training speed truly amazing, showing the power of her Sovereign Water Body. A wave of mixed feelings washed over Liang Tianyu. He was glad to see her doing well, yet the reasons for their separation weighed on him. He knew she was tasked with spreading false information about "Liang Tianyu," while he was actively being hunted under that very name. The irony was bitter.
Li Mei, too, felt an unexplained pull, a faint sense of familiarity as her gaze swept past the Heaven Spirit Sect fighters. Her Sovereign Water Body, which gave her better understanding and control over water Dao, also gave her heightened spirit sensitivity. There was something about the fighter named Liang Tianyu that resonated deep within her, a faint echo of a bond she held dear. But she quickly dismissed it. Bai Xing was in the Spiritual World, a fugitive. This was merely a coincidence.
A tense standoff happened when both the Heaven Spirit Sect and the Thunder Spirit Sect met at a particularly rich spirit energy spot. Lei Ming, his eyes narrowed, recognized Liang Tianyu's quiet efficiency from the previous day's encounter with the Earth Bear.
"Heaven Spirit Sect, this energy spot is in our area," Lei Ming stated firmly.
Qing Ya stepped forward, her face firm. "The elder said the entire Verdant Peaks are fair game. We found it first."
Liang Tianyu, sensing the rising tension, stepped slightly forward. He noticed a slight instability in the spirit energy spot, a sign that it was nearly empty if too much was taken. He also noted a more powerful, though smaller, group of spirit-boosting orchids hidden near a waterfall.
"Perhaps a compromise," Liang Tianyu suggested calmly. "This spot is big enough for both our sects to gather from without much loss, if we are efficient. However, there are more potent, though fewer, spiritual orchids by the Whispering Falls. A higher yield for less effort."
Lei Ming's eyes flickered with suspicion, but the logic made sense. He thought about the time and effort needed to extract from the large spot versus the potential of the orchids. "Show us these orchids, 'Liang Tianyu'," he challenged, a hint of disrespect in his tone.
Liang Tianyu simply nodded and led a small group from both sects to the waterfall. There, as promised, were the vibrant spirit-boosting orchids, glowing with concentrated spirit energy. Lei Ming, impressed by the accuracy of Liang Tianyu's observation, agreed. The two sects gathered separately, the tension still clear but under control.
On the third and final day, the competition got more intense. Resources were scarcer, and the spiritual beasts were more aggressive. Liang Tianyu, using Tai Bing Chi's vast knowledge of ancient spirit formations, found a hidden cave, its entrance hidden by an illusion. Inside, a tiny spirit spring flowed, nurturing a rare collection of Immortal-grade spirit plants – a huge find.
As he and Qing Ya were about to start gathering, they heard approaching footsteps. It was Mei Lin, the Blossom Spirit Sect's top fighter, with Li Mei and Jia Li. Mei Lin's eyes, sharp and smart, immediately saw the illusion, even if she couldn't fully understand its purpose.
"A hidden find, Heaven Spirit Sect?" Mei Lin's voice was deceptively soft, but her presence was commanding. "Perhaps you'd be willing to share its bounty."
Liang Tianyu knew that sharing the Immortal-grade plants would greatly reduce their sect's lead. He also knew that direct conflict was not an option. "The spiritual spring is delicate," he stated calmly. "Over-gathering would empty it for generations. We are taking only what is sustainable."
Li Mei, standing slightly behind Mei Lin, felt her heart give a strange jump. "Liang Tianyu..." she murmured, almost by accident. The way he spoke, the calm confidence, it was so strangely familiar. She quickly looked away, her mind fighting with her emotions.
Mei Lin, sensing the subtle change in Li Mei's mood, narrowed her eyes slightly. She then turned her attention back to Liang Tianyu. "Sustainability is a good goal, but this is a competition. Perhaps we can make a deal."
Liang Tianyu, knowing that Mei Lin wouldn't give up easily, chose a different approach. "The energy here is unique," he began, using Tai Bing Chi's insights into space and spirit dynamics. "It connects with a specific cultivation art, one that only a select few from the Blossom Spirit Sect would truly benefit from. Trying to gather without that understanding would yield fewer results and potentially damage the spring."
He then described, in great detail, a subtle resonance pattern within the cave's energy that would only truly boost the effects of a fighter who trained in Water Dao – a direct hint to Li Mei without directly naming her. Li Mei's eyes widened. She had felt that resonance, but hadn't fully understood what it meant.
Mei Lin, her face now thoughtful, looked at Li Mei. She knew the unique qualities of Li Mei's Water Dao and that she was far ahead in terms of water dao. It was a bluff, subtly delivered, but one that fit with the Blossom Spirit Sect's main beliefs. She weighed the chance of a fight against the claim of special benefit.
After a moment of silence, Mei Lin gave a short nod. "Very well, Liang Tianyu. We shall allow you to continue your sustainable harvest. But know this – in the coming stages, no such kindness will be shown."
As the three days ended, the fighters were sent back to the main gathering grounds. The elder, standing before a tall spirit-stone tablet, began to announce the first scores.
"The Trial of Verdant Peaks has ended," the elder's voice boomed. "The results are as follows:"
"Thunder Spirit Sect: 18,500 points!"
A cheer erupted from the Thunder Spirit Sect students.
"Blossom Spirit Sect: 21,200 points!"
The Blossom Spirit Sect celebrated, Li Mei catching Jia Li's eye, a look of shared satisfaction passing between them.
"And finally, Heaven Spirit Sect: 24,800 points!"
A loud roar of triumph erupted from the Heaven Spirit Sect group. Liang Tianyu allowed himself a small, private smile. His subtle tricks and smart decisions had paid off. The first stage, focused on exploring and observing, had allowed his unique knowledge to shine.
The rankings for the Blossom Spirit Sect were announced: Mei Lin, 1st; Jia Li, 5th; and Li Mei, a surprising 7th, having broken through to Middle Nascent Soul just before the competition. The Thunder Spirit Sect's top five were all Peak Nascent Soul, showing their raw power. The Heaven Spirit Sect's top five were also Peak Nascent Soul, with Guang Li leading the charge. Liang Tianyu, as Liang Tianyu, was listed at 10th for the Heaven Spirit Sect, his true cultivation hidden by his quiet nature and the credit he allowed others to take.
The first stage was over, but the smell of spirit plants was quickly replaced by the clear feeling of coming combat. The Gauntlet of Shifting Sands awaited, promising to be a brutal test of strength where no mercy would be given. The underlying tensions between the sects, temporarily quieted by the rules of the Verdant Peaks, were now ready to explode.