Chu Xingchen grinned and slung an arm around Daoist Yuyang’s shoulder.
Who would have thought that Daoist Yuyang, who seemed so upright and serious, would have such a weak resistance to bad jokes?
As long as they weren’t enemies, Daoist Yuyang’s combative aura mellowed considerably.
Moreover, skipping tedious conversations together and sneaking off to the restroom had subtly deepened their camaraderie.
At the very least, Daoist Yuyang didn’t mind casual physical contact.
Truly, no misunderstanding between guys couldn’t be resolved by a shared trip to the restroom—even if it was just a pretend one.
In short, Yuyang was surprisingly easygoing.
However, the two soon noticed Xu Jin’s gaze fixed on them.
Chu Xingchen looked back, meeting Xu Jin’s unreadable expression with a carefree wave and a smile.
Daoist Yuyang merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
From a distance, Xu Jin watched Chu Xingchen’s enthusiastic greeting, momentarily dazed—was this really the same Chu Xingchen who had refused to meet him face-to-face?
So warm now, yet last night he couldn’t be bothered?
Still waving, Chu Xingchen leaned toward Daoist Yuyang and asked,
"Why does Xu Jin seem so… awkward?"
Daoist Yuyang glanced sideways at Chu Xingchen, who was cheerfully waving while casually throwing shade, his expression perfectly natural.
If anyone’s behavior was outrageous, it was definitely him.
Yet, for some reason, Daoist Yuyang didn’t think Chu Xingchen was the two-faced type.
Though his actions sometimes lacked grandeur, they were genuine.
In contrast, Xu Jin’s refined speech and manners gave off an instinctive unease, as if he was always scheming—like the teacher’s pet who tattled over trivial matters.
Not exactly morally bankrupt, but certainly not likable.
Unwilling to badmouth others, Daoist Yuyang simply replied,
"People are different."
Chu Xingchen shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I’ve greeted you. Any longer and people might think I’m defecting to the Taidao Sect."
Daoist Yuyang nodded lightly. "As you wish, Brother Chu."
Chu Xingchen stood up and immediately spotted Ye Antao from the direction of Bixiao Palace, her gaze fixed in their direction.
Their eyes met briefly before she quickly lowered her head.
He wasn’t sure what she was so afraid of…
But if she was that nervous, he’d humor her and skip the greeting.
Chu Xingchen returned to the Tianyan Sect’s area.
Lv Xuan smiled at his return and said,
"You’ll have to work hard later."
Chu Xingchen blinked. "Aren’t top-tier talents like us supposed to fight last? Save the best for the finale, right?"
Lv Xuan paused, then turned to Bai Xuanling, who was quietly sipping tea.
"You didn’t explain the competition format to him?"
Bai Xuanling set down his cup, utterly relaxed. "I did. Just fight."
Lv Xuan nearly choked. While technically correct, that explanation was criminally oversimplified.
It was like telling someone the rules of a game amounted to: "Just win."
With a sigh, Lv Xuan elaborated,
"The individual duels are last. Before that, the major sects must demonstrate their overall strength and teamwork."
"So first is the team battle, then the solo matches."
"Teams can field anywhere from one to ten participants."
"The fewer fighters sent, the more points earned for victory."
"All four sects will compete, and the highest-scoring team wins."
"Watch out for Vast Heaven Palace and Xiaoyun Hall—they don’t participate in solo matches, so their teamwork is formidable."
"Also, the arena’s formations suppress cultivation and spiritual sense, though it’s possible to break through. Be mindful when attacking."
"Your cultivation will be capped at the Nascent Soul stage, and you can’t use abilities beyond that."
"Though it’s called Nascent Soul suppression, most participants are actually Core Formation experts."
"Nascent Soul-level techniques will be restricted, and while these disciples aren’t direct successors, they’re still elite cultivators who’ve received top-tier training."
"The advantage of higher cultivation isn’t erased, but it’s significantly narrowed. Defensive artifacts are banned, and your durability will be calculated as a standard Nascent Soul cultivator’s. So don’t show off by tanking hits."
Chu Xingchen absorbed the rules—straightforward enough.
Higher cultivation here wasn’t purely beneficial; overexertion could lead to disqualification.
Holding the team battle first also allowed opponents to strategize against top fighters in the solo matches.
Chu Xingchen asked, "So how many of us are going up?"
Yanyun, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up.
"Just you and me."
Lv Xuan nodded. "It’s risky, but high reward demands high risk."
Chu Xingchen glanced at Yanyun, then nodded in relief—if things went south, he could always make sure Yanyun took the brunt of the beating.
And if Yanyun couldn’t handle it, well, surrendering was always an option.
With a confident grin, Chu Xingchen declared, "Don’t worry, Sect Leader Lv. I’ve got this."
Lv Xuan beamed at his determined expression—youthful vigor was a beautiful thing.
Only such unwavering resolve could resonate with the profound Dao.
It was precisely why Lv Xuan dared to send only Chu Xingchen and Yanyun.
Bai Xuanling shook his head slightly at Lv Xuan’s proud expression—he’d told the sect leader repeatedly that he’d misjudged Chu Xingchen. Alas, the man was hopeless.
Though most participants had arrived, the competition wouldn’t begin without the tedious preparations and draw ceremony.
Unavoidable formalities.
At least the preparations and draw happened simultaneously.
Whether through the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect’s meddling or Lv Xuan’s poor luck, Tianyan Sect was pitted against Xiaoyun Hall in the first team battle.
Yet Lv Xuan and Bai Xuanling remained unfazed.
Chu Xingchen observed Xiaoyun Hall’s side—they too seemed calm, as if merely going through the motions.
Time passed, and as hundreds of formations below bloomed with eerie light, the arena transformed into a mountainous forest.
This was technically an exhibition match, but one reserved for the elite—mediocre cultivators weren’t even granted spectator privileges.
No commentators, just a simple water-mirror projection.
Still, there were referees, provided by the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect.
Among them was Elder Qing Yun, who had greeted them upon arrival.
With a wave of his hand, Qing Yun sent ten jade talismans each to Tianyan Sect and Xiaoyun Hall.
Lv Xuan raised his hand slightly and effortlessly drew all ten jade talismans into his grasp, then distributed them to Chu Xingchen and Yanyun.
Without further ado—after all, he had already said all that needed to be said—he stepped back.
He was a guide, not a nursemaid. Whether they chose recklessness or caution was entirely up to them.
The two didn’t linger on words either, immediately activating the talismans in their hands.
Within the Martial Void Arena.
Chu Xingchen suddenly felt as though countless fine, thread-like ropes had bound him, creating an odd sensation of restriction—yet also a strange ease in breaking free.
"Kinda feels like waking up with a stiff neck," he remarked.
Yanyun didn’t respond to the comment. Instead, she summoned her spiritual treasure and warned,
"Every word you say might be transmitted through the Water Mirror Realm. Mind your tongue."
"Really?" Chu Xingchen’s eyes lit up.
Yanyun instantly regretted her words—this was unnecessary information.