... Of course, Lei Dong would not have wanted to reach that point if there had been any other possibility. After all, if he were forced to kill Zhou Minghua in full view of everyone, there would still be some risk in facing the Ancestor afterward. Lei Dong would much rather find an opportunity to eliminate him quietly and without a trace.

While many people were eyeing Lei Dong with malice, the Ghost Slaves under the Ancestor silently appeared before the crowd, announcing the official commencement of this Three-Year Minor Competition. Opponents for the first round would be chosen by drawing lots. The rules for the competition were simple: no intentional killing. The Ghost Slave offered only one clarification for "no intentional killing": any aggressive action taken after an opponent has explicitly uttered the word "yield" (ren shu) constitutes intentional killing, regardless of whether actual harm was inflicted. The punishment for intentional killing was severe: the soul would be extracted, fashioned into a soul lamp, and slowly burned to death with Ghost Fire.

Hearing the chilling and terrifying description of the punishment, even the disciples of the Myriad Ghost Cave, who treated ghosts and spectral matters as commonplace, felt an icy dread course through them. Everyone had witnessed the horrors of Soul Refining by Ghost Fire during the Sect Grand Competition three years prior; it was an act of extreme cruelty. The thought of being made into a soul lamp and being slowly consumed by that fire was beyond imagination.

Next, the rewards for this Three-Year Minor Competition were announced. The first-place winner would receive five thousand Sect Contribution points; second and third place would receive three thousand and fifteen hundred points, respectively. Fourth place received one thousand points, and it decreased by one hundred points for each subsequent ranking down to tenth place, which received only three hundred points. As for those ranked twentieth and below, their cultivation would be sealed, and they would face the whipping punishment. The twenty-first ranked disciple would receive ten lashes; each rank lower would receive ten additional lashes. If one ranked thirty-second, they would suffer dreadfully, enduring one hundred and twenty lashes—even if they survived, the experience would cost them half their life.

Concurrently, the rankings from this competition would formally establish the seniority titles among this generation of disciples—Brother and Sister designations that would remain unchanged for the next three years, until the subsequent Minor Competition.

Hearing the rewards, excitement bloomed on many faces. However, as soon as the subsequent punishments were announced, those with lesser strength turned deathly pale.

The Ghost Slave then elaborated on the ranking methodology. The entire competition would last ninety-six days, with one round every three days, totaling thirty-two rounds. At the start of each round, opponents would be determined by a live draw. Before the draw, previously fought opponents would be excluded from the pool. Each victory earned one point; a loss earned none. If competitors ended with equal points, supplementary matches would be held to determine the final ranking.

Lei Dong somewhat understood the intent behind this competition format. Firstly, it served to urge the disciples to constantly strive upward. Secondly, it was an opportunity to hone their practical combat capabilities. Cultivating silently without engaging would leave even the most advanced cultivation susceptible to being mere cannon fodder. Moreover, solitary cultivation often led to encountering numerous bottlenecks. Intense combat could spark sudden inspiration or stimulate the body’s functions, unleashing hidden potential, among other effects.

This meant that everyone would have to face every peer of their generation once before the competition concluded. Even Lei Dong believed that after engaging in thirty-two consecutive duels, his own combat techniques would likely see substantial improvement.

Next came the drawing of lots. Everyone hoped to draw a weaker opponent in the first round, securing an opening victory to boost morale and confidence.

However, Lei Dong remained unconcerned. Even if he drew Senior Sister Ding, he would spar with her; if he couldn't win, he would simply concede.

Under the Ghost Slave’s sinister, oppressive gaze, the drawing proceeded orderly. However, the first drawing only required sixteen participants. When it was Lei Dong’s turn, he saw Zhou Minghua watching him gloomily from nearby, likely hoping their names would be drawn together. Choosing to ignore him, Lei Dong reached in, drew a lot, and saw the name Wu Qianqiu. He didn't recall this name vividly, only vaguely remembering that the person was ordinary. After scanning the area, he spotted Wu Qianqiu in the distance and waved toward him.

The chief recorder began documenting immediately: Lei Dong draws Wu Qianqiu, match two on Arena C. The result was then publicly announced.

Wu Qianqiu appeared as a sturdy young man, seemingly seventeen or eighteen. Since joining the sect, he had cultivated diligently and had just broken through to the third layer. Seeing this outcome, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Though Lei Dong was famous among their cohort, he was currently only at the third layer. Facing him first was certainly better than being matched immediately against an Ancestor’s direct disciple.

Lei Dong surveyed his surroundings. Combined with his prior knowledge, he realized that after three years of entry, many peers had reached the third layer, with only a few remaining at the second or having advanced to the fourth. Zuo Chao and Zhou Minghua, benefiting from excellent aptitude and resources, had reached the fifth layer. As for Senior Sister Ding, Lei Dong could not discern her cultivation level at all, but rumor had it she reached the sixth layer several months ago, making her the overwhelming favorite to win this competition.

Five thousand Sect Contribution points—even with the Soul Devouring Pagoda, this treasured artifact, in hand, Lei Dong felt a significant pull. To simply donate that amount using spirit stones would cost over a thousand. Lei Dong now understood the value of contribution points better. Trading them for common resources like low-grade artifacts or pills was highly inefficient; it was better to shop in the market. However, for cultivation methods, spells, and rare, precious items, using contribution points was ideal. Especially unique spells and methods exclusive to the Yin Sha Sect—these were unobtainable on the outside market and could only be acquired through contribution value.

Still, Lei Dong was only momentarily moved by the prospect of five thousand points. Seizing that prize from Senior Sister Ding’s clutches would likely prove far from easy. Senior Sister Ding wasn't just at the sixth layer; she possessed numerous mid-grade artifacts and even some top-grade items. Even giving his absolute best, he was still likely to lose.

Lei Dong privately believed he could contend for second or third place, but he genuinely did not wish to appear too conspicuous in terms of strength. If he could conceal his power, that was preferable.

Soon, the drawing concluded. Chen Ge and Wei Hua squeezed up beside him, flanking him fiercely, demanding, "Spit it out: what dark spell did you put on Senior Sister Ding? She spoke to you so kindly and even accepted your gift?"

"Heh, this is my exclusive secret technique," Lei Dong grinned, narrowing his eyes. "If you two want to learn it, it'll cost a hundred spirit stones each."

"Go to hell!" Chen Ge and Wei Hua burst into laughter, giving him heavy thumps.

After some roughhousing and laughter, Chen Ge’s expression turned serious. "But seriously, you're only at Qi Refining Level Three now. When you face Zhou Minghua later, just surrender immediately to avoid him suddenly resorting to foul play while you're distracted. My biggest worry is that he provokes you; whatever you do, don't lose your temper."

"Don't worry, I can't be bothered with him," Lei Dong drawled, stretching lazily. "How did you two fare in the draw?"

Chen Ge's face became animated, his eyes narrowing into slits from grinning. "My opponent is only at Qi Refining Level Two." However, Wei Hua’s expression was exceedingly glum. He sighed, "My opponent is Senior Sister Ding."

"Hahaha!" Even Lei Dong, after a moment of surprise, couldn't help but burst into laughter. He had to admit, this guy’s luck was incredible. Laughing until his stomach ached, he clapped a sympathetic arm around Wei Hua's shoulder. "Buddy, the only support I can offer is cheering from the sidelines."

Wei Hua rolled his eyes furiously. "You just want to watch me make a fool of myself, don't you? Don't get too cocky; you’ll face Senior Sister Ding eventually, and I’ll get my revenge then."

"Revenge if you must, but today we enjoy ourselves while we can," Chen Ge wasn't much better, readily accepting the proposal to cheer.

Their match was scheduled as the first on Arena B. The two dragged the crestfallen Wei Hua between them toward the arena.

There were five arenas in total, and each was overseen by a second-generation disciple in the Foundation Establishment stage—the group's martial uncles—acting as referee. Soon, the dark-faced referee at Arena B called out the names of Wei Hua and Ding Wanyan.

Ding Wanyan's appearance naturally drew a crowd of onlookers. Wei Hua, however, was already timid before the fight even began and was dawdling, unwilling to step onto the stage. Lei Dong and Chen Ge exchanged a glance, then lifted Wei Hua and simply tossed him up.

...