Surprisingly, although the ranking seemed to be random, it cleverly avoided a lot of unnecessary trouble. Or perhaps, the ranking seemed to be arranged intentionally.
Group 1 to 15 successfully separated the elites of the Sword Sect. For example, Qin Shi, Tianxiang Pavilion's Master Lu Shan's disciple, Zi Yun Yan, the Law Enforcement Pavilion's Great Elder's disciple, Long Tingyan, Jian Qing's disciple, Yu Yue, Haoyue, and Su Tiao were divided into different groups.
Such a method would undoubtedly reduce the number of clashes in the early stages. However, it was not without reason. If Qin Shi and Su Tianci were to be in the same team at the start, then the later stages of the Disciple Competition would lose a lot of excitement.
After the groups were determined, the disciples were both happy and worried. Among them, the most happy group was Group 1. In Group 1, the most famous disciple was Yu Yue, who was Jian Qing's disciple. However, Yu Yue's cultivation was barely at Heaven Top Level Nine and had not even reached the Domain Realm. This made many disciples secretly happy.
The most worried ones were Group 7 and Group 13. Group 7 was Su Tiao's group, while Group 13 was Qin Shi's group.
For a moment, the disciples of Group 7 and Group 13 were depressed. "Hey, is there a mistake? Why am I in the same group as this freak?"
"Yeah, I thought I could make a name for myself in this competition. Why is my luck so bad!"
"You guys are not bad!
You guys are in the same group as Qin Shi. No matter what, Qin Shi is only at the Heaven Top Level. I am in Group 7 with Senior Brother Su Tiao. Senior Brother Su Tiao is a genuine Domain Realm cultivator. Moreover, his cultivation is at the Perfected Domain Realm. He has the highest cultivation among the disciples. I am the one who is hopeless. "
The disciples who were in high spirits just a moment ago became soft eggplants.
Among them, only a few experts were relatively calm. Yun Yan looked at the list of groups and sighed in disappointment. "What a pity, there is only one group left!"
"Hehe, don't worry, there will be a chance for you to compete with each other." Lu Shan patted Yun Yan's shoulder. Yun Yan was in the fourteenth group and happened to be in the same group as Qin Shi.
A cold light flashed in Yun Yan's eyes. "Hmph, I've said it before. If he beats me, I'm willing to be his slave in the future. But if he can't beat me, I'll definitely teach him a lesson!"
Lu Shan smiled and stroked his beard without saying a word.
"I think everyone should already be clear about your groups. Do you have any objections?" The law enforcement elder coughed a few times, and after controlling the situation, he transmitted his voice in a clear voice.
The disciples looked at each other in silence and shook their heads.
The Law Enforcement Elder smiled with satisfaction, "Good, then let's begin. Group 1 disciples, prepare yourselves. Your competition will begin in half an incense stick's time!"
A group of disciples jumped onto the stage. Not far from the stage, Haoyue patted Feather Moon's shoulder and said, "Do your best. Give us a good start."
Feather Moon turned around and smiled, "I'll try my best. But in group 1, there are a few other capable people besides me. I'm not sure if I can win."
"What are you saying? If Shi Tou hears you, he'll definitely scold you for being a good-for-nothing!" Haoyue rolled her eyes at Feather Moon. She couldn't help but feel a little worried.
She wasn't the only one who was worried. Feather Moon also frowned and let out a long sigh, "I don't know where that brat went. He's not back yet!"
Haoyue shook her head weakly, "Who knows? He's always been like this. Luckily, he was placed in group 13, so it won't be his turn for the time being. You go first and wait for him to come back. Give him a surprise."
Feather Moon nodded and turned to look at the beautiful figure beside her. Her eyes were filled with endless tenderness, "Wait for me."
"Mm, I'll wait for you!" Qinger smiled.
Looking at the two of them, Haoyue scolded, "Are you two done yet? Can't you see that there are two single dogs next to you?
Are you two showing off to single dogs for free?
What do you mean by life and death? That's enough! "
Xu Qingfeng nodded in agreement.
Feather Moon pursed her lips, "What do single dogs know?"
"You …!" Haoyue gritted her teeth in anger.
However, she didn't give him a chance. Feather Moon kissed Qinger's forehead and leaped onto the arena. She said to the others, "Wait for my triumphant return!"
"Hmph, that's more like it." Haoyue snorted angrily.
At this moment, a group of disciples had gathered. After all, there were almost a million disciples in the Sword Sect. Even if they were divided into 15 groups, it was still a huge number. After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the originally spacious arena instantly became extremely crowded, and it was densely packed with people.
After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the Enforcement Elder said in a clear voice, "The Sword Sect's Annual Disciple Competition is a test of our sect's disciples' abilities. Don't go overboard and don't try to kill. Otherwise, you'll be immediately disqualified. Tell me, do all of you understand?"
"Yes!"
The tens of thousands of disciples replied in a clear voice.
The Enforcement Elder nodded with satisfaction, and then he suddenly waved his hand, "Alright, I announce that the 1st group of the Sword Sect's Annual Disciple Competition will now officially begin!"
"Oh! Oh!"
In an instant, the surroundings seethed with excitement, and all the participants made a prompt decision. The beginning was the easiest time to succeed, and practically all of them instantly chose to attack the people around them.
Bang!
In the blink of an eye, the sky was filled with dragons and phoenixes, boundless sword lights, and extremely terrifying flames appeared in the sky. Countless martial techniques exploded in the sky.
For a time, the arena was gorgeous and resplendent.
As she gazed at the flashes of swords and blades, Qinger pressed her palms together and prayed nervously before her chest.
When she saw this, Haoyue consoled her, "Don't worry, Feather Moon is fine. Such a small scene isn't difficult for him."
Qinger nodded forcefully.
The higher-ups of the Sword Sect revealed gratified smiles, and a few elders discussed softly, "Who do you think will be the final winner of this group?"
"That's hard to say. Even though it's the top 50, there's still a difference in strength. Based on his current points, Feather Moon has a good chance."
There was a screen that was synchronized with the arena, and the current rankings of the disciples were displayed on it. The points were calculated according to the opponents they defeated.
Every time they encountered danger, the disciples would have the opportunity to crush the talisman on their chests, and once it was crushed, they would be sent out of the arena.
Feather Moon was undoubtedly ranked first.
A few of the elders around Jian Qing smiled and said, "Jian Qing, you've really taken in a good disciple."
As a master, he would naturally be proud of his disciple. Even the inflexible Jian Qing was no exception. The corner of his mouth involuntarily curled up, "Indeed, although Feather Moon's talent isn't outstanding, he is very diligent in his studies. Even I am surprised by his improvement in the past few years."
"Yes, it seems like Feather Moon will definitely be the winner of the first group." A few young servants quickly flattered Jian Qing.
Suddenly, an extremely mocking laughter rang out. Someone said, "Hehe, Feather Moon?
I don't think so. "
"Hmm?"
A few elders, including Jian Qing, frowned and looked in the direction of the voice.
"Elder Mo Yu, what do you mean by that?"
The one who spoke was a slightly older elder who sat on the same level as Jian Qing. The corners of his lips curled into a sinister smile. "It's nothing much. It's just that I have a different view from all of you. Based on Yu Yue's abilities, he should be very lucky to be able to make it into the top fifty. If he wants to be the champion, what a joke."
"Hey, you old thing, why are your words so unpleasant to hear?
No matter what, Feather Moon is Elder Jian Qing's disciple. Are you looking down on Elder Jian Qing by talking about him like that? "
Mo Yu smiled, "I don't mean that. However, if I have to say something, I don't really look up to him. A man who can't even take care of his own woman, how can he be considered a man?"
"You …!"
The elders' expressions changed. They all knew that Mei Tianjiao was Jian Qing's weak point, but Mo Yu brought it up like that. It was obvious that she was trying to anger Jian Qing.
However, unexpectedly, Jian Qing was extremely calm this time. He smiled, "Mo Yu, you can say whatever you want. Sooner or later, I will reveal the truth."
"Oh, I haven't seen you for half a year, but your temper has become much more stable."
Mo Yu was slightly surprised, but soon after, she smiled and shook her head, "Alright, this can be considered an improvement. However, what I said just now was not a joke. Your disciple really can't do it."
Jian Qing's eyes darkened again. In the next second, he was shocked. He immediately turned around and looked at the arena. The sky was filled with martial arts, making him feel inexplicably uneasy.
At that moment, Feather Moon was shuttling through the crowd of disciples majestically. His cultivation could be said to be top-notch in the first group. Almost every time he raised his hand, a disciple would be defeated.
However, as he sank deeper and deeper, suddenly, eight light beams rose from his left and right.
The light beams pointed to the sky and instantly formed a strange array, firmly sealing Feather Moon within it.
When Feather Moon saw the array, he stopped abruptly. After the array came to a stop, an extremely dark figure walked out from the light beams and blocked Feather Moon's path.
"Hehe, Feather Moon, we meet again!"
Seeing the figure, Feather Moon was shocked, "It's, it's you?"
Not only Feather Moon, but Jian Qing and the elders who had surrounded Jian Qing also frowned when they saw the figure. "How could it be him?"
On the other hand, the ones who had the greatest reactions were undoubtedly Haoyue, Xu Qingfeng, and Qing 'er.
When she saw the dark figure, Qinger's almond-shaped eyes flashed with panic. Her delicate body trembled violently and she almost lost her footing.
"Qingfeng, quickly support her!" Haoyue quickly said.
Xu Qingfeng moved quickly to support Qinger, preventing her from falling to the ground.
At that moment, Haoyue's eyes flashed with disbelief and worry. He clenched his fists tightly, making cracking sounds.