Sitting in the main seat, Zhan Hongyuan's eyes flickered slightly, his emotions somewhat ambiguous, and he said in a deep voice, "We'll talk about it again after we become number one."
Upon hearing this, Yang Lin on the arena took a deep breath before turning around to look at the disciple he was fighting. Although Yang Lin was at the Golden Core stage, he was young and did not have an advantage in cultivation.
The sect competition is mainly for inner and outer disciples; the personal disciples with higher cultivation levels do not participate.
As for Shen Changlin and others who were personally instructed from the beginning—
Most of them only participate in the sect competition after reaching the Golden Core stage, under the arrangement of their masters, in order to gain experience.
Soon, a light blue light screen containing array patterns rose outside the arena, and then disappeared in the next moment. This was the result of the array peak, which could effectively isolate the aftershocks of battles below the Nascent Soul stage, and was specially designed for the sect competition.
As the competition on the stage began, Zhan Hongyuan watched intently from the stands, and after a while, he suddenly looked at Ruan Qing'an.
"Speaking of which, this disciple's style is somewhat similar to Elder Ruan's. Elder Ruan, have you heard of this disciple's name before, or have you been kind enough to impart knowledge and resolve doubts about him?"
"No, I don't know."
Ruan Qingan shook his head slightly, his indifferent expression remaining unchanged.
Seemingly having failed to glean anything, Zhan Hongyuan chuckled and didn't ask any further questions. Instead, he looked towards the arena and said, "He has good talent."
He seemed to be talking to himself, and Ruan Qing'an didn't seem to care. However, Shen Changlin couldn't help but glance at Zhan Hongyuan.
At this moment, the battle on the arena was evenly matched and somewhat tense.
Shen Changlin was only at the Foundation Establishment stage and couldn't discern many clues, so he secretly inquired of the black mist in his sea of consciousness: "How is the battle going?"
"Yang Lin will win."
Hei Wu said calmly, "Zhan Hongyuan is right. Yang Lin's talent is indeed quite good, both in the inner and outer sects. Although it seems that neither side can do anything to the other right now, Yang Lin has more practical experience and will soon make a breakthrough."
As if to verify what the black mist had said, the situation on the arena quickly changed—when the forces were locked in a stalemate, Yang Lin deliberately created an opening, which prompted the opposing disciple to attack the opening in order to break the deadlock.
In his haste, Yang Lin found a weakness in him.
Immediately afterwards, Yang Lin, dressed in flowing white robes, unleashed a powerful slash, sending the opposing disciple flying off the stage, spitting out blood and falling unconscious.
After the stab, Yang Lin's face turned pale.
On the viewing platform, Zhan Hongyuan looked at Ruan Qing'an again, his smile unchanged: "It seems that this disciple is also destined to meet you, as he has vaguely grasped the same sword path as you, Elder Ruan."
"...It is the rudimentary form of sword intent."
Ruan Qingan was taken aback before speaking.
But what she didn't understand was that this was the second time Zhan Hongyuan had brought up Yang Lin in front of her, as if he were trying to extort money from her and insist on admitting that they had some connection.
At this moment, the formation on the arena had already been lowered.
The elder in charge of the event directly announced the winner of this sect competition, and the disciples watching below became excited and shouted the name "Yang Lin".
Aside from his rarely seen personal disciples, Yang Lin has already subtly established himself as the senior disciple in both the inner and outer sects.
Hearing the heartfelt cheers and admiration from his disciples, Yang Lin, who was almost exhausted, used his sword to support himself on the arena and barely managed to steady himself. When he looked up, his gaze fell on Shen Changlin.
For a moment, their eyes met.
He seemed to be saying, 'See that, you piece of trash?'
On the viewing platform, Shen Changlin remained expressionless, a smile playing on his lips, just like an ordinary young man. However, the deep blackness and dark mist in his eyes hinted at a sinister killing intent.
At that moment, Zhan Hongyuan waved his hand, and a white jade pill bottle instantly transformed into a stream of light, landing in Yang Lin's arms.
"You are exhausted from this battle, so do not damage your foundation. Remember that."
"This disciple thanks the sect master!"
Yang Lin cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "Sect Master, I have now won first place in the sect competition. May I ask for your permission?"
Zhan Hongyuan slightly raised his hand: "Speak."
Upon hearing this, Yang Lin was overjoyed, but when he looked up, he couldn't help but glance at Ruan Qing'an in the spectator stands—the woman's eyes were covered with ice and snow, and her gaze towards everyone revealed coldness and ruthlessness.
Even if he wins, it seems to have no effect on her.
But why... can Shen Changlin call her Master?
Yang Lin's expression was solemn. Suddenly, he bowed deeply to Ruan Qing'an, even kneeling down, and said, word by word—
"Elder Ruan, this disciple hopes to become your disciple!"
For a moment, the elders in the spectator stands were completely silent, and even the disciples watching below did not dare to speak—Yang Lin was determined to join Yanlai Peak, and not only the disciples, but even some of the elders knew about it, but they did not expect him to say it here.
In the stands, Shen Changlin's hand instinctively tightened, but he didn't speak. Instead, he turned his head to look at Ruan Qing'an.
The woman beside him remained aloof and expressionless, not even lifting her eyelids: "I already have disciples, and have no intention of taking on any more."
"Elder Ruan, I know this will cause you trouble."
But on the arena, Yang Lin spoke up, gripping his longsword tightly, and said earnestly, "Even if I don't become Elder Ruan's disciple, even if I can only enter Yanlai Peak and become an ordinary inner disciple, even if I'm just a menial disciple, Yang Lin is willing!"
"Yang Lin, be careful what you say."
Zhan Hongyuan, standing to the side, spoke first: "Some things should be said with caution. How can the top disciple in the sect competition be a menial disciple?"
Yang Lin shook his head and said, "Sect Master, you are unaware of this."
"Elder Ruan is exceptionally talented and unparalleled in combat. To break through to the Void Refinement Realm at such a young age is truly remarkable. In my eyes, he is an absolute genius. A year ago, he single-handedly destroyed the gates of various sects in a single month, and his power was unmatched for a time. I have always admired him!"
"Since I joined the sect, my goal has been to become a disciple of Elder Ruan's Yanlai Peak. Sect Master, I have made up my mind!"
Yang Lin spoke firmly, then bowed again to Ruan Qing'an, earnestly saying, "This disciple, Yang Lin, is foolish and dull. I hope Elder Ruan can give this disciple a chance. I will never forget this kindness!"
Seeing this, Zhan Hongyuan seemed somewhat helpless and sighed, "Alas, you have made up your mind, let's see what Elder Ruan plans to do."
As he spoke, Zhan Hongyuan looked at Ruan Qing'an standing to the side.
Ruan Qing'an, who was watching the game but inexplicably became the main character: ...
037: [This time I'm a little confused. Why does it feel like the two of them are putting on a charade, trying to scam you, my ancestor?]
Ruan Qing'an had a cold, aloof face, just like the original owner of the character.
"You know what, I feel the same way."
\u0001
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