After the opening ceremony, it was time to draw numbers.

It consists of a box-shaped magical artifact called a jade token, which is then distributed to each outer disciple.

This jade tablet is also a low-grade magic item, marked with numbers, but although it is a magic item, it doesn't have many special features.

The pendant lights up briefly when someone calls out the number on it, reminding the holder that it's time to go on stage – a very thoughtful design.

It also indirectly demonstrates the wealth of Pengshan Sect; don't underestimate the jade tablet just because it's a low-grade magic treasure.

This contains thousands of jade tablets, which is equivalent to thousands of low-grade magic treasures.

Furthermore, to prevent anyone from tampering with the jade pendant or engaging in any clandestine manipulation, it is designed to be a disposable item.

They really are rich.

The box that was distributing the jade tokens shook violently, then sprayed out countless jade tokens, which then transformed into streams of light and flew toward the outer disciples.

There was a jade token in front of Wu Er, who reached out and grabbed it.

"Wow, that's a good number."

The number marked on the jade pendant in Wu's hand was 666.

It's a good number.

Although drawing this number seems lucky, it's likely that this "luck" was deliberately arranged.

It was a lucky number that Xiao Mingmu and his group deliberately chose to make Wu Er happy.

Having figured this out, Wu Er shook his head and said, "Really, isn't this tantamount to cheating?"

With the jade tokens distributed, the preparations for the competition were complete, and the next step was to compete in the arena.

With several thousand outer disciples and dozens of arenas, it would be a very long time before each pair of disciples could compete.

Each session lasts more than half an hour, and also more than half a year...

Therefore, in order to save time.

The first round is not a competition for advancement, but an elimination competition.

Nearly 90% of the disciples will be eliminated. The eliminated disciples will not be ranked. Only the remaining 100 disciples will be eligible to compete for ranking.

This saves both time and manpower.

As for the first round, how will the elimination process work?

It's very simple, all you need to do is get onto the ring.

In the first round, a Nascent Soul cultivator will release a powerful aura on each arena, and those who can stand firmly on the arena under the pressure will pass the first round.

The outer disciples were almost all at the Foundation Establishment stage. Faced with such pressure, those with unstable Dao hearts and weak wills could not even move.

Only those outstanding disciples with unwavering faith in the Dao can withstand the pressure and move forward.

On the referee's platform floating above the square, Xiao Mingmu, Yan Zheng, and Wo Ningyan looked at the crowd below with boredom on their faces.

They wouldn't normally attend these kinds of competitions.

For the three of them, watching a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators fight was really boring.

Seeing that the three big shots looked bored, the stewards and hall masters next to them brought out a lot of fairy fruits and spiritual teas, trying to curry favor with them.

But as soon as they stepped forward, Xiao Mingmu waved his hand, telling them to retreat.

Then another barrier was opened, covering the referee's stand and keeping everyone else out.

Inside the barrier, the group began to talk.

Xiao Mingmu yawned, then propped his head up with his hand and lazily looked at Yan Zheng.

He said, "Fifth brother, do you think this will make your senior brother happy? Do you have any good ideas?"

Yan Zheng leaned back, half-reclined in his chair, and listened to Xiao Mingmu's words, pondering for a moment.

He said, "How about we add a cloud boat competition? I think that would be quite interesting."

"Forehead......"

Xiao Mingmu twitched his lips, feeling a pang of panic as he thought about the "cloud boat self-destruction" incident from a couple of days ago.

If my senior brother were to make one, that would be truly interesting.

"Let's forget about the cloud boat competition..."

Xiao Mingmu shifted his gaze from Yan Zheng, tilted his head, and looked at Wo Ningyan to the side.

He said, "Junior sister, you've had a lot of contact with your senior brother these past few years. Do you know what your senior brother likes? We can add some things to it."

Hearing someone speak to her, Wo Ningyan didn't move, but slightly turned her eyes, her face cold as she glanced at Xiao Mingmu.

He replied, "I don't know."

He uttered only two words, his words devoid of emotion and even filled with coldness.

With that delicate face, she truly is an ice queen.

She was completely different from the Wo Ningyan who used to act coquettishly in front of the wooden house on Xiaoyuan Peak.

Apart from Wu Er, Wo Ningyan treated everyone else the same way... even the other senior brothers, she kept them at arm's length.

"I don't know..."

Xiao Mingmu felt a chill run down his spine when Wo Ningyan stared at him like that. Knowing what kind of personality his junior sister had, he could only give an awkward smile.

Then he pressed his chin against his hand.

He said, "If only the fourth brother were here, he'd have so many clever ideas..."

Outside the referee's stand, in the square.

The first round of elimination has begun, and many Nascent Soul cultivators have taken their positions and started to exude their aura.

Meanwhile, the outer disciples began rushing towards the arena.

Most of the disciples' legs trembled and their shoulders shook when they rushed to within ten zhang of the arena, making it difficult for them to take a step. Some even rolled their eyes back.

Only half of the participants, under pressure, slowly made their way to the ring.

Wu Er stood still, arms crossed, and said, "Have these Nascent Soul cultivators not eaten? Why is their pressure so weak?"

The sect leader complained to the higher-ups in his sect.

In Wu Er's eyes, it was simply out of character for a Nascent Soul cultivator to be able to allow a Foundation Establishment cultivator to move around even after releasing his pressure.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!