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The Outer Sect's arena was alive with killing intent.
Disciples gathered in the thousands—swords on their backs, spears in hand, talismans etched into their skin. The monthly Ranking Challenge was not optional. For Outer Disciples, this was war.
Every month, the sect updated its resource allocations based on combat performance. The higher your rank, the more pills, cultivation techniques, and secret missions you were eligible for. Those who fell behind? Stripped of benefits. Beaten. Forgotten.
Li Xuan stood among them, black robes fluttering despite the windless day.
System Notification:
Outer Sect Ranking Challenge Begins.
Starting Rank: Unranked
Objective: Defeat Three Ranked Disciples to qualify for a number.
Bonus Objective: Enter the Top 100 (Reward: ???)
A sly grin curled on Li Xuan's lips.
"Unranked? Tch. Let's fix that."
—
His first opponent was a spear-wielding disciple ranked #997. The man snorted when Li Xuan stepped forward.
"I heard of you. You act tough, but this isn't the beast forest. This is the real arena."
Li Xuan drew his saber lazily. "Then don't disappoint me."
The fight lasted four breaths.
Li Xuan dodged the first spear thrust, stepped into his opponent's guard, and smashed the man's knee with his elbow. The sound of bones cracking echoed through the plaza. A moment later, his saber pressed against the man's neck.
Victory. Rank: 997.
Disciples watched in stunned silence.
That wasn't just a win. That was domination.
—
Opponent two was Rank #802. A dual blade cultivator with high agility.
She came at him with a flurry of cuts. Fast. Precise. Poisoned.
Li Xuan gritted his teeth. Her poison scraped his forearm. His veins pulsed dark purple.
But then—the Nine Star cultivation path activated.
A faint ring of multi-colored light flared behind him, then faded instantly. The poison was burned from his bloodstream. His saber arced low.
Her blades fell. She collapsed, unconscious.
Victory. Rank: 802.
"She has killed three people in past challenges," someone whispered.
"Who is this guy…?"
"Did you see that ring behind him? Was that a… star ring?"
Whispers turned to murmurs. Murmurs turned to fear.
—
Opponent three was Rank #610. A defensive cultivator, built like an ox.
Li Xuan didn't waste time.
He activated Phantom Step, feinted to the left, then struck with the pommel of his saber directly to the jaw. The man's eyes rolled back.
Victory. Rank: 610.
He qualified.
Now the real challenge could begin.
—
The Sect Overseers noticed the rapid ascension. One of them, a silver-robed elder with a thin scar over his eye, sent a message up the mountain.
"Li Xuan. Rank #610, but rising fast. Nine Star resemblance confirmed. Shall we intervene?"
The reply came in four words:
"Observe. Do not interfere."
But deep down, they were already watching him like hawks.
—
By the time Li Xuan reached Rank #401, the crowd had split.
Some cheered him. Others cursed him.
Then came the Rank #400 match.
His opponent this time was no average disciple. A man who'd held the same rank for six months. A peak Qi Condensation expert with peak-grade fire affinity. His hands glowed with crimson flame, and behind him danced three fire orbs—a flame spirit technique usually only seen in the Inner Sect.
"I'll make sure you remember this loss, black-robe," the man sneered.
Li Xuan said nothing.
But as the fight began, he unleashed something he hadn't dared to use until now—Foundation Pulse: Explosion Variant.
It didn't just push Qi through his meridians.
It detonated it.
A burst of blinding light erupted beneath his feet. His movement speed tripled in a heartbeat. His saber gleamed with condensed spirit Qi.
One slash.
One explosion.
One fall.
The fire orbs scattered like leaves in the wind.
Victory. Rank: 400.
—
System Update:
—Ranking Objective Complete
—New Rank: 400
—New Resources Unlocked:
- Qi Gathering Pills x30/month
- Alchemy Material Tokens x3/month
- Minor Sect Missions Unlocked
—Bonus Objective Progress: 400/100 (??? unlocked at Top 100)
[Long Chen System]:
"You're not bad. You remind me of Gu Yang before he broke his third saber. Don't slow down. Everyone above Rank 100 has a master or a backer. If you don't have one, you'll have to crush them twice as hard."
—
Li Xuan stood in the ranking arena.
His robes were tattered. His arms bled. His spiritual energy was running low.
But his eyes burned with unshakable will.
The path of Long Chen was not forged by heaven's favor.
It was paved with pain, cunning, blood, and rebellion.
And Li Xuan would walk it.
Even if he had to burn the heavens down to do it.
—
Next: Chapter 48 – Sect Mission: Hunt the Crimson-Eyed Serpent
(A Class-C mission that becomes something else entirely…)