With the rest of the arenas also wrapping up one after another, the clamor and slaughter below gradually subsided.
Xu Lin took a rough look around. Jiang Luo’s side was comparatively one of the better ones.
In some arenas, they truly were deciding both superiority and life or death, using every means imaginable. This made Xu Lin suck in a sharp breath.
“Is it only Sunset Sect that’s like this, or are all Demon Sects like this? You’re really gu raising here?” Xu Lin couldn’t help saying.
This was no Disciple Advancement Grand Competition at all—it was plainly a gu-raising ground.
“Scared?”
Xi Ranchen, however, was completely unfazed. Today’s outcome satisfied her quite a bit. It was far better than the previous Grand Tournaments, and she had also spotted a few promising seedlings.
“Do you think Demon Sects are as hypocritical as those Righteous Path sects? Only those who survive have the right to remain in the sect. The means don’t matter.”
In the matter of cultivation, there was never so much “touch-and-stop.”
Dying at an enemy’s hands was worse than simply dying at a fellow disciple’s hands. At least that way, the sect’s face wouldn’t be lost.
Back then, wasn’t Yang Yao the one who stood out from this very atmosphere? Even Xi Ranchen herself had been.
Xi Ranchen yawned.
“Saint, this competition is far from over. In a moment, watch carefully and see the difference between Demon Sects and Righteous Path sects. Who knows—maybe you’ll come to prefer staying at Sunset Sect.”
The disciple matches below had ended, but Xi Ranchen knew this competition was nowhere near over. In fact, it could be said to have only just begun.
Xu Lin was puzzled, only vaguely sensing that something was off.
He was just about to continue stuffing grapes into his mouth when Xi Ranchen lazily extended her hand toward him.
Xu Lin twitched the corner of his mouth and rolled his eyes at her beneath the Bronze Ghost Mask, but he still reluctantly placed the grapes in his hand into hers.
This woman really treated him like her personal attendant.
“Sect Master Xi, since the affairs within your sect have all been concluded, shouldn’t we let the juniors at our sides try their hands as well?”
A deep, booming voice rang out from the seating area nearby, so deafening that even the Sunset Sect disciples in the distance felt their ears ache.
Following the sound, one could see a man of burly build, his face covered in blood-colored totems, standing in the stands.
The people of the other sects slightly closed their eyes, faint smiles hanging at the corners of their lips.
They hadn’t come to Sunset Sect merely to watch its disciples scuffle—apart from discussing a few matters.
No matter when, whenever Demon Sects gathered, things could never end peacefully.
Each sect had long since established a Saint or Saintess. Barring unforeseen circumstances, they would be the future successors of their respective sects.
What had just happened on the field was merely a microcosm of the Demon Sects. Now it was time to let these future heirs cross paths.
Righteous Path people valued idle conversation and quiet sitting, befriending those of the same path.
Demon Sects, on the other hand, believed in “no fight, no acquaintance.” Without drawing blood, how would one know whether the other party was truly a figure of weight, worthy of one’s appreciation?
Likewise, there were no rules, no regard for life or death, and no limit on numbers.
This would also let these old-timers see what the people valued by other old-timers truly looked like.
“Since you’re so interested, how about you take the lead?” Xi Ranchen spoke with a grape half-bitten between her lips, smiling without showing her teeth.
Back then, they had crossed blows under the witness of their respective masters. Now that they sat in the same place once more, it was no longer them making the moves.
“Alright, then I won’t hold back!” The man patted the youth beside him, signaling. “Boy, let these women see a bit of your mettle.”
The youth understood. With one step forward, vast Blood Qi spread out like a primordial beast.
He hovered above the arena, raising his hands in a fist-palm salute toward the elders of the various Demon Sects. His movements were casual, yet they exuded wild arrogance, and his voice rang like a tolling bell.
“Blood Beast Sect, Liao Nu. I ask all of you to generously offer your guidance.”
His eyes swept over the assembled Saints and Saintesses like a hawk’s, the arrogance in his brow hard to conceal.
“If any of them die at my hands, I hope the elders won’t be angered.”
The man who had spoken earlier watched Liao Nu, crossed his arms, and nodded with satisfaction.
As the voice echoed, a graceful figure leaped out shortly after.
A light gauze gown fluttered, dreamlike and ethereal, bearing the countenance of a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world.
The woman had bright eyes and pearly white teeth. She raised a hand to cover her smile.
“Phantom Soul Nether Cliff, Yan Miaoyi. I’ve come to seek your instruction.”
“Good.” Liao Nu let out a shout. “Then watch out!”
There was no need for excessive talk. Those who became Saints or Saintesses had their strength recognized by their elders, so no lengthy introductions were needed.
Which sect one came from and what one’s name was—that was enough.
Liao Nu raised both arms, his robes bursting apart, revealing the blood-red totems covering his body, with the faint roar of a wild beast lurking within.
His body shook, Blood Qi shrouded him, and from within, a blood-colored fierce tiger stepped out, ferocious in appearance.
Liao Nu stomped hard, and the arena floor beneath him shattered on the spot. Both the man and the fierce tiger charged at the woman.
Yan Miaoyi chuckled softly. An illusion unfolded with her at its center, interweaving the real and the unreal—even her figure became untethered from reality.
Striking with ultimate techniques right from the start, holding nothing back—this was respect for one’s opponent.
‘Blood Beast Sect and Phantom Soul Nether Cliff—it’s actually these two sects.’ Xu Lin felt quite surprised inwardly.
These two sects—back when he was at Vast Dao Sect, he had actually caused trouble for them. If he weren’t wearing the Bronze Ghost Mask, he would most likely have been recognized.
One sect focused on cultivating Blood Qi. It was said that those who achieved great mastery could suppress fierce beasts with Blood Qi, command beasts through blood, and become a king among beasts themselves.
The other was renowned for Illusion Arts, disturbing people’s minds and hearts, and often, after bewitching people, refining them into puppets in their grasp.
He had assumed it would be a simple duel between two people, but before the two had even exchanged a few moves, figures leaped out from several elevated spots as well.
After briefly stating their sects and names, they joined the fray.
There were no rules or restrictions whatsoever, and no distinction between friend or foe. A chaotic brawl had begun.
Xu Lin watched the scene, unable to keep from frowning, his mouth hanging wide open.
He had experienced how wild the Demon Sect’s ways were, but this wildness could no longer be described as merely excessive.
No one had told him that after the Sunset Sect Disciple Advancement Grand Competition, there would also be a No-Rules Free-For-All.
“What do you think? Like it?”
Xi Ranchen had anticipated Xu Lin would be this shocked. After all, that whole Righteous Path routine, in their Demon Sects’ view, was utterly hypocritical—like children playing house, too shabby to even be brought onto a real stage.
The uneasy feeling in his heart grew stronger.
Xu Lin hurriedly pretended to clutch his stomach. “Oh no, I ate something bad. Nature calls. I’ve got to go…”
Before he could take a step, Xi Ranchen pressed down with a fingertip, firmly sealing him in place.
“Saint, the good show has already begun. Trying to leave now? Too late.”
“Hey, you never told me there would be a scene like this. You’re not thinking of sending me into that brawl with them, are you?” Xu Lin struggled hard not to curse out loud.
Even he felt that Xi Ranchen’s idea could no longer be described as crazy—it was utterly insane.
Xi Ranchen didn’t rush to answer him. Instead, she cast her gaze toward one place.
There, Li Hanjue, the Valley Master of the Nether Fiend Valley, also cast his gaze over. Their eyes met, and the emotions in their eyes seemed ready to ignite at the slightest touch.