Chapter 143: The Sect Grand Competition Concludes

After Bai Feiyu stepped down, Gu Tianxun also retired to rest.

In the sect tournament, once the competition reached the level of the fourth tier of the Shackles Realm, the fighters were generally not expected to continue immediately. Furthermore, after a match, there was always a long intermission to allow the combatants to recover their strength before the next bout.

At this moment, Gu Tianxun looked at Bai Feiyu with an indescribable, complex expression. Bai Feiyu paid him no mind, choosing instead to continue observing the combat techniques of the fourth-tier Shackles Realm fighters. He had to admit that their combat skills were far more refined than his own. After all, those who could reach this stage were essentially veterans of a hundred battles. While Bai Feiyu had reached the Shackles Realm, most of his cultivation had been forcibly boosted by his system; his actual combat techniques still required significant polishing.

By late afternoon, the final results of the sect tournament were settled. Gu Tianxun ranked third overall, while Bai Feiyu took ninth. Although he was ninth, everyone knew that if given time to reach the fourth tier of the Shackles Realm, Bai Feiyu would undoubtedly surpass them all.

Bai Feiyu felt no regret over missing out on first place. When he eventually reached the fourth tier, he would still possess the ability to fight across higher cultivation levels, though the margin of that advantage would diminish. Within the Shackles Realm, the gap between each tier was immense; reaching this level was already considered a mark of a formidable expert, and crossing too many tiers was simply unrealistic.

Thanks to Bai Feiyu’s performance and the strong showing of the other disciples, the Guixu Sect finished in fifth place. The entire sect was ecstatic. In previous tournaments, the Guixu Sect had typically hovered in the middle of the pack, and had even slipped into the lower rankings a few times. Thus, while not the highest achievement in the sect’s history, fifth place was a truly commendable result. Their overall standing had improved significantly, and with the disciples having won a fair amount of money, the mood was exceptionally bright. Although they hadn't taken the top spot, the Guixu Sect was certainly the happiest of all the factions.

The tournament winner was a sect with which Bai Feiyu was not particularly familiar. He cared little for these rankings; whether it was the Zhao Kingdom or the various sects, they were ultimately just passersby in his life. He was destined for a much larger world, and there was no need to dwell on such trifles here.

Following the announcement of the rankings, there was no grand celebration like in previous years. Many spectators had suffered heavy losses because of Bai Feiyu, leaving them in a foul mood. If it weren't for the fact that they couldn't defeat him—and the presence of the Guixu Sect’s experts—they likely would have tried to tear him apart. Many had been driven to ruin, and their wealth hadn't flowed to others in the capital, but into Bai Feiyu’s pockets. Theoretically, he was the true victor of the event, but he knew he had to keep a low profile. Silence is golden; if others realized the extent of his gains, resentment would surely follow.

Back at the inn, the head of the Guixu Sect decided to give the disciples a long break. Since they rarely visited the capital, it was only natural to let them familiarize themselves with the city. They had been preparing for the tournament for so long; they deserved to relax. The disciples began to celebrate and invited Bai Feiyu to join them, wanting to thank him for his guidance. Without his tips and inside information, they would never have won so much money.

Bai Feiyu politely declined, claiming he wanted to focus on his cultivation. The other disciples were surprised. This was the same youth who had insisted on going out while everyone else was training—why the sudden change of heart? He hadn't even suffered a defeat in the tournament.

Then, Qian Shuang spoke up, pointing out that Bai Feiyu wasn't going out because he feared being mobbed. He had swindled so many people in the capital out of their money that everyone was practically wishing for his demise. If he appeared on the streets, he would be recognized and beaten to a pulp—or worse, his life could be in danger.

Hearing this, the disciples suddenly understood. They finally realized why Bai Feiyu had been wandering around earlier while they were busy training; he must have foreseen this outcome all along. While they couldn't go out themselves, they still envied him. Everyone wanted to be the best, and everyone wished they could be the one to endure the "burden" of being a celebrity, even if they couldn't go out and play. But that honor was not for them.

Bai Feiyu was speechless. While that was part of it, his primary reason for staying in was his desire to avoid the Fourth Princess. During the battles, he had noticed the Emperor watching him closely. The Emperor likely held him in high regard now, and if he discovered how close Bai Feiyu was with the Fourth Princess, it might stir up complications. Bai Feiyu didn't want the trouble. He had Qian Shuang, and he didn't want her to come to any harm. As a now-famous figure, being seen with the Fourth Princess would inevitably lead to rumors, which was something he wished to avoid.

Just then, his communication jade flickered. He picked it up to find a message from the Fourth Princess: "Bai Feiyu, the tournament is over, come out and play! I have good news for you."

Bai Feiyu smiled and replied, "My little lady, I can't go out. Half the capital recognizes me now; if I step outside, I'll be beaten to death."