As Expected of a Great Sect, the Scale is Extraordinary

“Young Lady Baek, that place right there is Jaundae.”

“Is the Martial Arts Competition being held over there?”

“Yes, whenever Our Sect has a major event, it tends to be held at Jaundae.”

Jin-Wi spoke proudly and increased the speed of the Concealment Art.

Before long, the cloud the two were riding descended near Jaundae.

Baek-Cheong stepped off the cloud and slowly looked around Jaundae.

“Wow…”

Jaundae was a vast Plaza surrounded on all sides by large and small peaks.

The Plaza they entered was large enough to easily encompass an entire Immortal Village.

In the center of the Plaza sat a massive Stone Platform.

Even at a rough guess, the Stone Platform was the size of a small Pavilion, and countless Formations were engraved upon it.

And surrounding the Stone Platform, the Spectator Stands rose step by step in a tiered fashion all the way to the edges of Jaundae.

“There are so many people.”

“One of the largest events in Our Sect is the New Spring Exchange Gathering’s Martial Arts Competition.”

Jin-Wi answered, taking pride in his Sect.

Certainly, the number of people filling Jaundae was extraordinary.

Every section of the Spectator Stands was densely packed with disciples of the Biun Sect, and any empty seats were filled by Cultivators who appeared to be external guests.

Furthermore, cultivators wearing splendid robes were seated in the upper sections of the Spectator Stands.

“They called it an exchange gathering, but what kind of exchange gathering is this…”

Baek-Cheong could only swallow a small sigh.

When she first heard about the New Spring Exchange Gathering from her Eldest Brother, she had assumed it would just be on the level of building friendly relations.

However, when one looked at the cultivators flocking to Jaundae, it was certainly one of the premier events even within the Biun Sect.

“I was completely tricked.”

With a reluctant gaze, she scanned the upper Spectator Stands again.

The cultivators seated in the seats of honor looked quite distinguished, and among them, a familiar figure caught her eye.

It was none other than her uncle, clinking glasses and socializing with the cultivators in the adjacent seats.

“Uncle is here too.”

Considering the scale of the Martial Arts Competition, there was no reason for the Biun Sect not to invite someone from the Yeonha Baek Clan to such a major event following the Millennial Plan.

‘I almost couldn’t get in.’

If her uncle or Eldest Brother had known, they definitely would have stopped her.

Fortunately, there was the challenge personally thrown by the Scion of the Hosan Seo Clan.

Since the story would be circulating among the cultivators as well, she had ample justification to step into the Martial Arts Competition.

“Then how should I plan my strategy…”

Baek-Cheong was feeling satisfied and rolling plans around in her head.

Jin-Wi, standing next to her, suddenly began explaining the Biun Sect’s Martial Arts Competition with a somewhat excited demeanor.

“Every year at the end of the New Spring Exchange Gathering, the Martial Arts Competition is held at Jaundae. It is a place where the Pillars of Talent of Our Sect, who have polished their talents over the past year, gather to compete in skill.”

“Ah…”

“However, this year, twice as many Pillars of Talent have flocked here compared to usual. The number of External Guests is also incomparable to that of other years.”

“Is that so?”

When Baek-Cheong asked as if surprised, Jin-Wi nodded his head.

“The rewards for this year’s Martial Arts Competition in Our Sect are vastly different from usual. Just by advancing to the main tournament, you are granted the qualification to enter Our Sect’s Cloud Sea Secret Realm.”

“The Cloud Sea Secret Realm?”

Baek-Cheong inadvertently felt a tremor in her small chest.

Stories of a Sect’s Secret Realm being an aggregation of fortuitous encounters were common knowledge in the Cultivation World.

However, she hadn’t known that merely advancing to the main tournament of the New Spring Exchange Gathering would earn the qualification to step foot into the Secret Realm.

Jin-Wi didn’t think much of Baek-Cheong’s reaction and continued speaking.

“Among Our Sect’s Secret Realms, there is one that opens only once every ten years, so if you cannot enter this time, the next opportunity will be in the distant future. Because of that, even the Pillars of Talent who usually hide their traces have gathered all their polished skills to participate in the Martial Arts Competition.”

“Is it that precious a Secret Realm?”

“Yes, even within Our Sect, the number of people who have entered can be counted on one hand. Originally, the qualification is given starting from Inner Sect disciples, and even among them, it is difficult to step foot inside unless one has outstanding Talent. Furthermore, since it is a Secret Realm for young prodigies, there is an age limit of up to twenty years of age for Qi Condensation cultivators and up to forty years of age for Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

Jin-Wi answered calmly and observed Baek-Cheong’s expression out of the corner of his eye.

“However, even with such restrictions, it is better not to step in if one’s skills are lacking, since it is a Martial Arts Competition where Techniques/Spells are exchanged on Jaundae. It’s not exactly life-threatening, but it’s a place where you can get hurt.”

“Get hurt?”

“Yes, because if you reach the main tournament, you will face cultivators with talents that are considered top-tier even among the Pillars of Talent. Even if Our Sect’s Formation masters use Formations to suppress lethal intent, you can still be injured by the aftermath of the Techniques/Spells.”

Jin-Wi continued to observe Baek-Cheong with a worried look.

He was subtly showing signs of wondering if there was really any reason for Baek-Cheong to go out of her way to reach the main tournament.

Even from his perspective as someone who had entered Foundation Establishment, it was an impossible Feat for a cultivator with ordinary Talent stuck at the Qi Condensation Stage, 7th Level to reach the main tournament.

Most of those who stood out in the Martial Arts Competition were at the tail end of the late stage or at Great Perfection.

“Finally, a fortuitous encounter for me too!”

Meanwhile, Jin-Wi’s worried appearance didn’t register in Baek-Cheong’s eyes at all.

Her mind was already fixated on the Cloud Sea Secret Realm, which was turning into a field of flowers.

This meant she could use the prizes or contribution points from the Martial Arts Competition separately.

“But I can enter just by advancing to the main tournament?”

Baek-Cheong swallowed a small gulp of saliva.

It would go against reason if she couldn’t reach the main tournament with her skills.

Having achieved minor completion in all 200-odd Basic Techniques, along with 10 Ice Dragon Shatters, and having reached a certain level in Flying Sword Cultivation, she couldn’t fathom that there would be a peer among Qi Condensation Cultivators who was superior to her.

“Even at an event packed with outsiders?”

There was something slightly suspicious about it, but she didn’t think it was a dark scheme.

If they were to make enemies of the Factions that attended the New Year’s Banquet, even the Biun Sect wouldn’t be able to withstand it.

It was highly likely that a power struggle was happening secretly within the Biun Sect.

Whatever it was, it was an unparalleled opportunity for her.

“No matter what, I have to make it to the main tournament.”

Even as Baek-Cheong solidified her resolve, she nodded her head without any outward agitation.

“Still, I have to give it a try.”

“…Are you really aiming for the main tournament?”

“Yes, since I’m participating in the Martial Arts Competition anyway, it would be nice to reap good results.”

Baek-Cheong answered politely and looked at Jin-Wi.

At this, Jin-Wi held his words in his mouth for a long time before nodding his head as if he had no choice.

“…Understood. However, please do not overdo it in the Martial Arts Competition, and take care of yourself.”

“Yes, I’ll take good care.”

When Baek-Cheong answered briefly, Jin-Wi took the lead and moved toward the entrance.

“Then let’s get your participation token first. Before the opening ceremony begins, you just need to state your intention to participate to the Outer Sect Elder next to the Jaundae entrance.”

Baek-Cheong followed Jin-Wi and moved to the side of the Jaundae entrance.

Near the entrance, a small Pavilion-shaped booth was set up.

Inside the Pavilion sat an elderly cultivator wearing a Biun Sect Robe embroidered with solemn patterns, and next to him, two young Outer Sect disciples were organizing jade slips and participation tokens.

“I offer my greetings to senior. I am Baek-Cheong of the Yeonha Baek Clan. I have come to participate in the New Spring Exchange Gathering’s Martial Arts Competition.”

“Oh, if it’s Baek-Cheong of the Yeonha Baek Clan, I have heard much about you.”

The Outer Sect Elder wore a small smile and gave a slight nod.

Not only was she the Young Prodigy directly mentioned by the Sect Master at the New Year’s Banquet, but news of the challenge thrown by the Scion of the Hosan Seo Clan was also spreading among the scions of the external guests by word of mouth.

“Seeing you in person like this, I find the subtle scent of the sword emanating from you truly extraordinary. Your demeanor is also calm for your age, so the reputation I heard within Our Sect does not sound like empty words.”

“As a Junior Disciple, I wish to broaden my horizons at the Martial Arts Competition.”

“Good. Let’s see you work hard all the way to the main tournament.”

The Outer Sect Elder nodded and gave a small hand gesture to the Outer Sect Disciple next to him.

The Outer Sect Disciple took out one of the organized participation tokens and handed it politely to Baek-Cheong.

The participation token was a jade plaque the size of a palm, and the words “Qi Condensation Group A” were engraved on its surface.

“Thank you.”

“Yes, be careful not to get hurt.”

Baek-Cheong bowed politely to show her respects before moving away.

“Oh my, Dao Friend Baek-Cheong.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice was heard from behind.

Shifting her gaze, she saw Seo Ju-A approaching from behind, accompanied by two maidservants.

In her hand, she held a jade plaque participation token identical to Baek-Cheong’s.

However, the words “Qi Condensation Group B” were engraved on Seo Ju-A’s participation token.

‘Oh, it’s a different group.’

Baek-Cheong tactfully examined her own participation token and Seo Ju-A’s.

Even if they were in the same Qi Condensation division, if they were split into different groups, it seemed they wouldn’t encounter each other unless they reached the main tournament.

Seo Ju-A likewise inspected Baek-Cheong’s participation token before putting her own away.

Then, she subtly revealed an expression that seemed to be a mix of relief and confidence.

“Oh my, Dao Friend Baek-Cheong, you are quite lucky.”

“Pardon?”

“Since you are placed in a different group from This Lady, you won’t have to suffer the humiliation of being eliminated in the preliminaries!”

Seo Ju-A fluttered her Robe Hem and lifted her head stiffly.

And although her voice was brimming with confidence, for some reason, one of her feet could be seen subtly shifting backward.

“This Lady intends to clearly show Dao Friend Baek-Cheong her skills in the main tournament! Therefore, please do not get hurt and safely advance to the main tournament until you face This Lady!”

“Yes, I will.”

“Good! This Lady must make preparations, so I shall take my leave now!”

Seo Ju-A declared confidently with an overflowing sense of self-assurance.

Then, she gave a short hand gesture to her maidservants and quickly moved her feet, leaving the area as if running away.

“I should have eliminated her in the preliminaries…”

Baek-Cheong quietly watched Seo Ju-A’s retreating back and fiddled with the participation token in her hand.

She had intended to punish that insolent overgrown monster early on, so it was just a shame.

‘Well, it can’t be helped.’

For now, she planned to aim for a higher place without being satisfied with just the main tournament.

If push came to shove, even becoming the Top Ranker would be possible, but the Cultivation World is vast and there are many prodigies, so being careless could be dangerous.

Steeling her resolve in her small chest, she opened her mouth toward Jin-Wi.

“Senior Jin-Wi, shall we head to our seats then?”

“Yes, Young Lady Baek. It happens to be near my Seat, so I will guide you.”

While Baek-Cheong was following Jin-Wi

She could see cultivators around her Whispering as they looked at her.

It seemed the rumors were spreading quickly.

“Ah…?”

Soon, she arrived at the designated Clan’s seating area.

She could see her uncle and Eldest Brother glaring fiercely at her.