Chapter 810

Chapter 810: The Competition Begins

"It seems Elder Ye Yun has met old acquaintances. Though I can’t clearly sense the aura fluctuations of those two youngsters, their energy is remarkably dense. This competition will surely be intense," Elder Xing remarked, observing Ye Yun’s calm expression.

"Indeed, thank you for your assistance, Elder Xing. Without your help, securing this elder position would have been far more difficult," Ye Yun replied, glancing at the white-browed elder beside him. The elder radiated the peak aura of the Eighth Level Earth Immortal realm, comparable to Hong Qianji. Though women might hold greater advantage in direct confrontations, Ye Yun had yet to witness Elder Xing’s true capabilities. Still, his goodwill toward the elder grew naturally.

Despite Elder Xing’s underlying bloodthirsty aura—a result of overseeing the Law Hall—his concern for juniors became evident when that aura faded, reminding Ye Yun of Grand Elder Mu Zhi’s demeanor.

"A trivial matter. With your merits in guarding the Celestial Tower, you could’ve even qualified for the Vice Sect Leader position. It’s only due to our sect’s structure that you’re limited to an elder role," Elder Xing chuckled. From their first meeting, he’d taken a liking to Ye Yun’s humility—a rare trait among extraordinary geniuses, who often brimmed with arrogance. Ye Yun’s respectful attitude spared Elder Xing the need for his usual stern Law Hall facade.

"I’ll repay your kindness in the future, Elder Xing, should the need arise." Ye Yun understood the value of connections within the Immortal Dao Sect. Yet he also knew nothing came without cost—true power and irresistible incentives were necessary to secure such alliances.

Though reluctant to employ threats or bribes, Ye Yun acknowledged their necessity. With the Ancestor’s backing, he needed equal cunning to carve his place among these seasoned players. Otherwise, he’d be left at fate’s mercy.

Fate—a topic Ye Yun avoided. Outsiders might see him as heaven-blessed, but only he knew his hidden struggles. Those in power viewed mortals as expendable pawns. The human race’s unity, however, would solidify swiftly if the Demon Race or Devil Race threatened their interests.

Ye Yun suspected hidden forces manipulating human conflicts but lacked proof. Quiet investigation remained his only path forward.

"Unexpected that she’s here." Ye Yun smiled at the black-robed woman thousands of feet away. She responded with a cold snort, turning her head away. Noticing this, Elder Xing stroked his beard. "Young friend Ye Yun, that’s the Moon Goddess Palace’s so-called ‘Moonlit Fairy.’ Winning her favor would cripple their standing in our sect."

"Elder Xing jokes again," Ye Yun said wryly, unsure how to continue.

"Yet you must see the crowd’s fervor for the eight major sects of Lingyao Continent. Do you grasp its meaning?" Elder Xing asked abruptly.

"What deeper meaning exists here?" Ye Yun frowned.

"Young indeed. The eight sects exist because of four Celestial Emperors in the Immortal Realm—beings surpassing Heavenly Immortal limits. These sects act as their mouthpieces," Elder Xing explained.

"Why share this with me?" Ye Yun had learned fragments from Shen Zhongyang and the Ancestor but found the public discussion odd.

"To warn you against provoking the eight sects. One misstep could cost your life," Elder Xing sighed. While the Immortal Dao Sect protected its elders, a newcomer like Ye Yun faced danger amid the sects’ current tensions.

This competition aimed to establish Ye Yun’s importance to the sect, though his Celestial Tower feat remained understated. Two Ninth Level Earth Immortal elders opposed highlighting it, fearing reduced access to Immortal Dao Stones.

"Chaos reigns even as enemies approach. Pathetic," Ye Yun muttered.

"Many Immortal Dao Sect cultivators—even geniuses—have fallen to rival sects. Reflect carefully," Elder Xing said, his white brows seeming paler.

"Thank you for the warning." Ye Yun clasped his hands. Such selfless aid surprised him in the sect’s cutthroat environment.

"Merely my duty. I wonder if the Temple of No Buddha will act." Elder Xing glanced at surrounding sects. "Their abbot once vanquished a Tenth Level Earth Immortal demon using Buddhist arts."

"The Temple of No Buddha…" Ye Yun recalled the red-robed elder who’d calmly resisted his consciousness during his Lingyao Continental sweep. The monk’s lack of fear and restraint toward Ye Yun’s demonic side had earned his respect.

"Likely absent. Their focus is virtue, not competition," Elder Xing noted as seats filled completely.

"It begins." Ye Yun watched two Seventh Level Nascent Soul cultivators clash on the platform, nostalgia stirring. Had fate not intervened, he’d have participated instead of spectating as an elder.

Their struggle mattered little to him now. True combat power depended not just on cultivation level but qi purity, spiritual energy, and unorthodox methods like poison. His Sword Path Domain rivaled even his Thundercloud Lightning Sword’s fifth level: "God of Thunder Descends."

"Risky move. I thought he’d lose," Ye Yun remarked as a victor emerged.

"Clever lad! Hiding a top-quality Immortal artifact until the final strike!" Elder Xing approved. In real combat, such tactics decided life or death.

Another match ended with a Moon Goddess Palace disciple’s overwhelming victory. Ye Yun offered Jun Ruolan congratulations, met with icy indifference.

"Still bitter about the Xumi Treasure? Petty," Ye Yun mused, turning to Mo Wenxian and Blood Yi. Her opponent—a Fourth Level Earth Immortal—stood no chance.

Blood Yi’s Blood Qi aura overwhelmed her foe within moments, forcing him to his knees amid thunderous applause.

"Perhaps I overdid it," she purred, exiting the platform with deliberate sway, igniting whispers among male spectators.

Ye Yun remained unmoved, accustomed to such beauty. As battles continued, he noted the unchanging sky. "Elder Xing, why does daylight persist past nightfall?"