When Zhang Ergou defeated Qin Lang, his rank on the Inner Disciple Ranking rose to twentieth place.
When people realized this, a clamor erupted.
When Zhang Ergou had initially boasted about challenging the experts on the Inner Disciple Ranking, not a single person had been optimistic about him.
Now, reality had delivered them a harsh lesson.
Zhang Ergou's performance had exceeded everyone's expectations.
"Heavens, look, Zhang Ergou's name is already listed in twentieth place."
"Nonsense, I'm not blind, I can see it clearly."
The disciples gathered below were naturally discussing amongst themselves, but when they looked back towards the battle stage, they discovered that Zhang Ergou had vanished.
...
Lingyu Peak.
"Master, your disciple has already defeated many experts on the Inner Disciple Ranking and is now among the top twenty, hehe."
Standing before the two beautiful women, Zhang Ergou grinned.
"Not bad, your performance has indeed exceeded my expectations. Do not slack off during this upcoming period, as we have less than ten days before the grand competition with Liuhai Sect."
"At that time, you must not disgrace me."
Chi Yu and Chi Ling exchanged glances, both seeing shock in each other's eyes. They too had not expected Zhang Ergou to defeat so many experts on the Inner Disciple Ranking in such a short time.
Although some disciples had directly conceded, saving Zhang Ergou a considerable amount of time.
But that was also a decision made out of fear of not being able to defeat Zhang Ergou.
"Ah? Master, didn't you say I would only be eligible for the candidate list after entering the top twenty? How was it decided so quickly?"
Zhang Ergou asked with a bewildered expression, feeling that Chi Yu was hiding something from him.
"Of course, that's how it was. However, the elders have also observed your battles over these past few days and believe you are fully capable of participating in the two-sect competition."
Chi Yu lied with her eyes wide open. Zhang Ergou couldn't shake the feeling that Chi Yu was trying to trick him.
However, it didn't matter. He did need to prepare for the two-sect competition in the coming days.
...
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Zhang Ergou was led to a grand hall by Chi Yu. Upon seeing dozens of disciples standing in the hall, Zhang Ergou was certain he had been deceived.
This was because he recognized familiar faces among them.
Lin Yueru, Lin Yichen, Xiao Qingyu, Lu Xiaoyu, Wang Teng, and others who had entered the Inner Sect with Zhang Ergou, all once outstanding talents from the outer sect of the Misty Sect.
He glanced back at Chi Yu and saw a mischievous glint in her eyes, which further confirmed his suspicion.
"Ergou, come quickly!" Lin Yichen and Xiao Qingyu, who were chatting, saw Zhang Ergou entering the hall.
They immediately called out to him.
After Zhang Ergou greeted them, it wasn't long before a figure appeared on the main seat.
It was none other than Heavenly Dao Elder. "Little ones, this journey to Liuhai Sect not only concerns your personal growth but also the honor and hope of our sect."
"I hope..."
For nearly an hour, Heavenly Dao Elder sat on the main seat, speaking eloquently and emphasizing the importance of this grand competition.
The disciples were naturally filled with passion, eager to go and slay the disciples of Liuhai Sect right away.
Just as Zhang Ergou was about to doze off, Heavenly Dao Elder finally concluded his speech.
The group was led by Heavenly Dao Elder and over a dozen Inner Sect elders, with Chi Yu among them.
Apart from Shi Wuhen, Zhang Ergou didn't know how to address the other elders.
After Heavenly Dao Elder finished speaking, some elders organized them to move to another location.
It was then that Zhang Ergou understood why Shi Wuhen was among the leading elders. Su Dan Novel Network
This was because they were to travel on a giant flying spirit beast, its height easily exceeding three zhang and its length five zhang.
Standing before it, Zhang Ergou looked smaller than even a single feather on its body.
"Master, what is this?" Zhang Ergou asked Chi Yu, looking up at the giant spirit beast.
"This is a Tiger Eagle, raised by Senior Brother Shi and the Beast Taming Peak. It's a spirit beast specifically used for carrying people, capable of traveling thirty thousand li a day."
Chi Yu patted Zhang Ergou's shoulder and explained.
"Master, is it very far to Liuhai Sect? Why don't we fly there on our swords?"
"You brat, not everyone can fly on their swords. This competition includes not only Golden Core realm disciples but also many Foundation Establishment realm disciples, like Lin Yichen and the others."
Chi Yu smacked Zhang Ergou with a scolding tone. "Besides, Liuhai Sect is nearly two hundred thousand li away. If we were to fly on our swords, it would take at least half a year."
Zhang Ergou's mouth dropped open. Although he was now a Golden Core realm cultivator, he was not very familiar with the geography of the Yin Province Continent.
Since he began cultivating, Zhang Ergou had cultivated for less than two years in total, so he was indeed unclear about some common knowledge.
"Immature, you don't even know such a simple question. Go back and cultivate properly, don't disgrace the Misty Sect."
Just as Zhang Ergou was feeling a bit embarrassed, a sarcastic voice reached his ears.
"You!" Zhang Ergou turned to look. A woman in red was looking at him with a detached expression.
Her gaze was filled with utter disdain.
"Senior Sister, I don't believe I have offended you. Why do you speak so sarcastically?"
Zhang Ergou saw that he didn't recognize the person, so his tone wasn't overly harsh.
However, the other party didn't seem to appreciate it. "You broke through to the early Golden Core stage and now you want to participate in the two-sect grand competition? Don't end up disgracing the sect."
Zhang Ergou was furious. No one would feel good being spoken to like that for no reason.
Moreover, this woman was clearly targeting him. Among so many people present, she wasn't bothering anyone else, just finding him displeasing.
"This is Senior Sister Li Xu's, the second disciple of Lingjian Peak. When you defeated Li Xu, it made the disciples of Lingjian Peak very unhappy."
Just as Zhang Ergou was wondering why this woman was specifically targeting him, Wang Teng suddenly sidled up to him and whispered through a transmission.
"Oh!" Zhang Ergou's eyes narrowed. No wonder this woman's words were so barbed.
So that was the reason behind her intentionally targeting him. Zhang Ergou finally understood why she was deliberately singling him out.
He turned away, no longer intending to pay attention to this self-important woman. After all, such a meaningless argument would only lead to ridicule.
However, even though Zhang Ergou intended to ignore her, the Senior Sister of Li Xu was not about to let him off the hook.
"What, did I hit a nerve? Do you think you'll disgrace the sect in this grand competition?"
Leng Feng harbored resentment towards Zhang Ergou ever since her junior brother Li Xu was defeated by him.
Although her junior brother's skill was inferior, the culprit who caused her junior brother to fall from the Inner Disciple Ranking was Zhang Ergou...