As Han Yi emerged from his courtyard and descended Little Spirit Void Peak, he noticed junior brothers hurrying back and forth between the upper and lower peaks, their faces flushed with excitement.
Stopping a familiar junior brother to ask what was going on, Han Yi realized that the Sect's Inner and Outer Peak Great Competition had already been underway for some time.
"Senior Brother Han, you didn't know? The Inner Peak Great Competition started first and will last for a month!"
"After that, the Outer Peak Great Competition begins, lasting even longer—a full half-year!"
"During this time, all the Outer Peak disciples have been flocking to Combat Peak to watch the matches. It's been a blast!"
"Senior Brother Han, you haven't even heard of Combat Peak? You must have been in seclusion for at least a month! Let me tell you..."
The junior brother eagerly explained before hurrying down the mountain. Han Yi stood rooted to the spot, a curious expression dawning on his face.
"Combat Peak... a specially modified mountain."
"They've certainly been busy."
The "Combat Peak" mentioned by the junior brother wasn't actually a peak in the traditional sense. Barely a hundred meters tall, its summit had been leveled into a broad, flat platform. It resembled a massive stage more than a mountain.
Combat Peak, a section of mountain transplanted from the depths of the Profound Pill Mountain Range, was specially prepared by the Sect for the Inner and Outer Peak Disciple Great Competition. Its exceptional hardness made it the ideal choice.
Located at the intersection of the Inner and Outer Peaks, the flat terrain provided a suitable platform for the massive structure.
The competition on Combat Peak had already begun half a month prior, with the Inner Peak Disciples taking the lead.
All Inner Peak Disciples were eligible to register, and the final combat power rankings would determine the top hundred disciples, who would receive substantial rewards.
Rumor had it that the top ten disciples might even be granted the invaluable Foundation Establishment Pill.
The Foundation Establishment Pill—one of the most crucial resources for cultivators transitioning from the peak of the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
On the market, a single Foundation Establishment Pill commanded a minimum price of two thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and even at that price, they were nearly impossible to find.
Since Han Yi's transmigration, he had never possessed more than a thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, let alone two thousand.
Even Top-Grade Magic Artifacts used by Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators typically cost between one thousand and ten thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, highlighting the extraordinary value of a Foundation Establishment Pill, comparable to that of a Top-Grade Magic Artifact.
The announcement sent all the Inner Sect Disciples into a frenzy. Virtually every disciple who believed they stood a chance signed up, knowing that even if they didn't crack the top ten, securing a spot in the top hundred would still yield substantial rewards.
"A Foundation Establishment Pill..." Han Yi shook his head wistfully, keenly aware of his limitations. "Alas, my cultivation realm isn't high enough. Even if I obtained one, I doubt I could keep it."
Han Yi understood his current situation. Even after breaking through to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, he remained far from achieving Immortal Foundation Establishment. A Foundation Establishment Pill would be useless to him and might even attract the attention of Ninth Layer Qi Refining cultivators from the Inner Peak.
"Hidden arrows are hard to guard against," he thought. "I don't want to spend every day watching my back."
Moreover, Han Yi knew that even if he participated, securing a spot in the top ten wasn't guaranteed.
While he had indeed advanced to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, his cultivation was still unstable. He needed time to fully consolidate his realm breakthrough and convert it into combat prowess.
He doubted he could defeat the Peak Ninth Layer Qi Refining Senior Brothers from the Inner Peak.
Even if victory were possible, Han Yi wouldn't risk it. While defeating a Peak Ninth Layer cultivator seemed unlikely, defeating an ordinary Ninth Layer Senior Brother would cause a major uproar.
Being too conspicuous would make him an easy target, especially after his recent feud with the Blood God Sect. Han Yi remained vigilant against hidden attacks.
When he arrived at Combat Peak, as his Junior Brother had described, he saw a vast platform surrounded by countless disciples, their eyes burning with anticipation as they fixed their gazes on the elevated combat arena at the center.
The arena stood three meters above the platform. Two young men clad in the dark blue robes of Inner Sect disciples were locked in fierce combat upon it.
Han Yi's divine sense probed them. They were likely at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement, each wielding a Mid-Grade Magic Artifact to assault the other.
After observing for just three breaths, Han Yi shook his head inwardly.
The first one's mana control is too crude. At critical moments, there's always a slight pause when he manipulates his artifact—a fatal flaw on the battlefield.
The second one's techniques are clumsy. He's overexerting himself, which only backfires.
If I faced either of them, two Wind Demon Daggers would be enough to kill them in three breaths.
Suddenly, an idea sparked within Han Yi.
"Even if I can't participate directly, I can still learn from observing others' combat techniques and simulate my own battles."
"While this method isn't as effective as firsthand experience, it's still a way to accumulate theoretical knowledge."
"This approach is viable."
Han Yi's heart surged with delight.
He had overlooked this possibility until now. Standing on Combat Peak, it suddenly dawned on him that he could gain valuable insights by watching the matches, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and starting with theoretical practice.
"And every evening back in my courtyard, I can visualize my opponents attacking me and strategize how to swiftly defeat them."
The more Han Yi considered this, the brighter his eyes shone.
By learning from each other's strengths and weaknesses, both the participating disciples and the observers could benefit.
He suddenly realized why the Sect's leaders had so strongly encouraged—even required—Inner and Outer Peak disciples to attend the Great Competition matches.
My perspective was too narrow.
Han Yi now understood the Sect's well-intentioned motives.
Ever since their defeat in the conflict with the Blood God Sect, the Profound Pill Sect had spared no expense in implementing various measures, all aimed at enhancing the combat prowess of its disciples.
Suddenly, the tide turned.
The young man, clumsy and overzealous, was struck by his opponent's Magic Artifact. He spat blood, flew backward, and collapsed unconscious.
"What a pity! I had high hopes for Senior Brother Zhu. I didn't expect him to lose and be eliminated from the top two hundred."
"Senior Brother Li is still the strongest. I called it!"
"He's strong, but only to a point. Even if he makes it into the top two hundred, he'll be stopped there."
The surrounding disciples discussed the match briefly before falling silent.
On the combat platform, Sect personnel swiftly cleared the area and tended to the injured. Soon, the second match commenced.
Han Yi found a corner to sit cross-legged and observe. His eyes shone with focused intensity as he continuously analyzed the techniques and strategies, mentally placing himself in the shoes of the combatants and imagining how he would respond to each situation.
Time slipped away unnoticed as night descended.
It wasn't until a Foundation Establishment Stage Elder overseeing the platform announced the end of the day's competition and instructed everyone to return the next day that Han Yi reluctantly rose to leave.
The crowd of disciples gradually dispersed.
Throughout the day, Han Yi had completely forgotten to submit his application for Inner Sect verification. He had once been eager to join the Inner Peak, but now, having reached the Qi Refining Seventh Layer, his urgency had waned. What was guaranteed could wait.
After returning to his courtyard on Little Spirit Void Peak, Han Yi began practicing combat scenarios, unleashing the Wind Demon Daggers with a mental command.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
In the backyard, three daggers crisscrossed like interlocking fangs, weaving a deadly net that crackled with killing intent.
Having advanced to the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, Han Yi could now control three Wind Demon Daggers simultaneously.
He estimated that at his current cultivation level, he could manage a maximum of five daggers. Only upon reaching the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining would he be able to fully master all seven, unlocking the full potential of this Mid-Grade Magic Artifact.
Even with just three daggers, Han Yi was immensely satisfied.
His combat prowess had more than doubled since his time in Heavenfall City. He was confident he could swiftly dispatch three opponents at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining simultaneously.
As for ordinary Eighth Layer cultivators... well, that was harder to gauge. After all, the only such opponent he had faced was the sinister youth wielding the Golden Light Shuttle, and that youth was far from ordinary.
Boom!
A momentary lapse in concentration caused one of the daggers to slam into a decorative rockery in the backyard, shattering it instantly. Debris scattered, dust swirled, and smoke billowed. With a casual wave of his hand, Han Yi dispersed the cloud.