Chapter 128: The Sect Tournament Begins

When Bai Feiyu returned to the inn, the disciples of the Guixu Sect were all in the midst of preparation. The time had come; it was time for them to enter the venue of the Sect Tournament. By now, practically all the sects had arrived, and everyone had been preparing for this grand event for a long time.

As Bai Feiyu walked over, the members of the Guixu Sect acted as if they hadn't seen him. They felt a profound sense of headache whenever they thought of him, but since Bai Feiyu himself didn't seem to care, they were helpless and could only allow him to follow his own inclinations. Everyone hoped that this time, Bai Feiyu would finally come to his senses, commit himself to diligent cultivation, strive for self-improvement, and return to his former peak. The only thing that brought the elders any comfort was that Bai Feiyu had only recently started his decline; he hadn't squandered many years, merely this short period. As long as he could resume his arduous training, his status within the Guixu Sect would remain unshaken.

"Let us go, all disciples. The time has come for you to make your mark," the Sect Master declared. "Today is the day of your glory, and today is the day to test the results of our Guixu Sect. Everyone, do not harbor any psychological pressure; just do your best. Let us return in triumph and prove ourselves on the path of life for the first time!"

With that final sentence, the Sect Master seemed to ignite the fervor of his own youth. A surge of passion welled up within him, and he seemed to shed a few years in an instant. Seeing this, the others felt their own blood race, the atmosphere of the entire scene ignited by the Sect Master's words. Everyone lined up, shouting slogans, and marched toward the main streets of the Imperial City.

The venue for the Sect Tournament was an arena in the heart of the Imperial City. This massive arena, usually reserved for gambling and duels, was now being used for inter-sect competition. With countless fighting platforms, the venue could accommodate tens of thousands of spectators. Admission was free; the organizers made their fortunes through the gambling wagers, compared to which ticket sales were mere pocket change.

Inside the arena, invited dignitaries and their direct descendants had already taken their seats. As Bai Feiyu and his peers entered, they were deeply shaken by the spectacle. For all of them, this was their first time participating in the Sect Tournament, and the sheer scale of the place was overwhelming. Although they had anticipated a grand event, the magnificence and vastness of the arena were truly staggering. Tens of thousands of people filled the seats, shouting and debating fiercely over which sect would emerge victorious. The entire scene was ablaze with energy, a spectacle most would never see in their entire lives. Such grand events occurred only every few years, and many had arrived having wagered their life savings, hoping to soar to success.

The disciples of the Guixu Sect, even when gathered together, numbered far fewer than a million, let alone the tens of thousands surrounding them. Consequently, they were momentarily stunned into silence.

"Let's move. We shall head to our designated seats. The moderator will announce the order of battle shortly," the Sect Master said, glancing at his disciples. He felt a pang of nostalgia. He remembered his own first time attending the tournament; he hadn't been much better than these youngsters. Now, years had passed, and the child he once was had become a Sect Master, while a new generation of youngsters stood on the grand stage of the Imperial City. This was their first chance to shine and make a name for themselves. After today, many would become famous, their names echoing through this arena of millions.

Once they took their seats, the disciples were visibly nervous, all hoping to stand out and become the brightest dark horse of the tournament, yet none felt truly confident. Qian Shuang sat beside Bai Feiyu, nervously scanning the distance, trying to identify the members of rival sects. As the daughter of the Sect Master, she possessed knowledge of their opponents' techniques and cultivation levels that ordinary disciples lacked.

Bai Feiyu, however, was acting quite differently. He glanced around and whispered to Qian Shuang, "Qian Shuang, did you bring any money? If not, I can lend you some. I feel this is a great opportunity to make a fortune. We are familiar with each other, so betting on those we know well is a guaranteed way to strike it rich. I guarantee it—we can make a killing. Once we finish this, we won't be short of money for a long time..."

Qian Shuang: "..."

Honestly, she was speechless that Bai Feiyu had the heart to care about such trivialities at a time like this. Could this guy not be normal for once? At such a tense moment, everyone was worried about their rankings, yet this guy was thinking about how to make money. It felt completely out of place. Did he really not care about his own future at all?

Qian Shuang rolled her eyes at him. As the Sect Master's daughter, she was not short of money, nor did she have any interest in gambling. Her only goal was to achieve a high ranking and prove to everyone that she wasn't just relying on her father's resources, but on her own true strength.

Seeing that Qian Shuang had no interest, Bai Feiyu looked disappointed. He smacked his lips and muttered to himself, "Trust no one but yourself. I brought quite a few spirit stones this time; I might as well bet all my assets on myself. My strength will not lose. This time, I’m going to make a killing, principal and interest included."

Those around him, hearing his muttering, felt speechless. It seemed less like he was here for the Sect Tournament and more like he was here to find a way to rake in cash.