Five days passed quietly.
The atmosphere within the outer sect, however, became increasingly tense.
Ever since news of the upcoming outer sect competition spread fully, disciples everywhere had begun preparing seriously. Training grounds remained crowded from morning until night, while conflicts between disciples became noticeably more frequent.
Everyone understood one thing.
This competition would decide much more than rankings.
Resources.
Status.
Influence.
Future opportunities.
Everything was tied to it.
Meanwhile, Fang Lin spent most of those five days cultivating quietly inside his room.
The Nine Nether Phantom Body continued progressing painfully slowly, but its effects became more noticeable with every passing day. His physical strength had increased further, while the stability of his body and meridians improved continuously.
Most importantly—
His Flowing Wind Steps had become smoother after the breakthrough during battle.
Even without consciously activating the technique, his movements naturally carried a lightness now.
On the fifth evening, Fang Lin finally opened his eyes slowly.
The gathering Chen Hao mentioned…
Was tonight.
Fang Lin stood up calmly and attached his black iron sword to his waist before leaving the room.
The moment he stepped outside, several nearby disciples instinctively looked toward him.
Their gazes remained complicated.
Respect.
Curiosity.
Fear.
Hostility.
All mixed together.
Fang Lin ignored them completely and calmly headed toward the northern district of the outer sect where the gathering was supposedly taking place.
As he walked through the increasingly quiet pathways, he gradually noticed something unusual.
Disciples from both sides of the sect were moving in the same direction.
Some belonged to the faction side.
Others clearly belonged to the alliance.
And all of them—
Were strong.
Very strong.
Late-stage Qi Conjunction cultivators appeared everywhere tonight.
It became increasingly obvious.
This gathering was important.
Very important.
After some time, Fang Lin finally arrived before a massive circular building near the edge of the outer sect.
The structure resembled a smaller arena, though far more refined. Spiritual lanterns illuminated the surrounding pathways while several disciples guarded the entrance calmly.
The moment Fang Lin approached—
One of the guards immediately recognized him.
"Fang Lin."
His tone carried obvious scrutiny.
But he still stepped aside.
"You may enter."
Fang Lin nodded slightly before walking inside.
The interior was enormous.
Rows of seats surrounded a lowered central platform, while dozens of disciples had already gathered throughout the hall.
The moment Fang Lin entered—
Several gazes instantly landed on him.
Some cold.
Some curious.
Some openly hostile.
Fang Lin calmly swept his eyes across the hall.
And immediately realized—
Almost every top-ranked outer disciple was present.
Chen Hao sat near the center with Yue Fang, Xu Ren, Shen Ku, Lin Tao, and several other faction disciples nearby.
On another side sat Li Shan's group casually gathered together.
Murong Yue waved immediately the moment she saw him.
"Over here!"
Fang Lin walked toward them calmly and sat down.
Li Shan glanced sideways toward him.
"You came."
"You said I would," Fang Lin replied calmly.
Li Shan chuckled softly.
Before further conversation could continue—
The hall suddenly became quieter.
A figure had entered.
Chen Hao slowly stood up from the center.
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
Even Murong Yue stopped speaking.
Chen Hao's gaze slowly swept across the hall.
"This gathering," he began calmly, "is regarding the upcoming outer sect competition."
His voice remained steady and clear throughout the hall.
"As most of you already know…"
"The competition this year will be different."
The hall remained silent.
Chen Hao continued,
"The top five rewards have increased."
Several disciples' eyes sharpened immediately.
Even Fang Lin focused slightly more.
Chen Hao raised a hand slightly.
"The sect will provide additional Spirit Foundation Pills this year."
Murmurs spread instantly.
"Spirit Foundation Pills?!"
"Those are normally reserved for inner sect disciples…"
"Why would they release those…"
Fang Lin quietly observed the reactions around him.
Clearly—
These pills were valuable.
Very valuable.
Chen Hao's expression remained calm.
"Additionally…"
"The top three disciples will directly receive opportunities to enter the Inner Sect Trial Grounds."
This time, the atmosphere shook visibly.
Even some previously calm disciples reacted.
Because everyone understood the meaning.
The Inner Sect Trial Grounds represented true opportunities.
Ancient inheritances.
Rare resources.
Potential breakthroughs.
For outer disciples, it was a chance to completely change their future.
Chen Hao slowly clasped his hands behind his back.
"Which means…"
"This competition matters more than ever."
The atmosphere grew increasingly heavy.
Fang Lin silently observed everyone present.
Excitement.
Pressure.
Ambition.
The emotions within the hall gradually intensified.
Then suddenly—
Chen Hao's gaze shifted.
Directly toward Fang Lin.
"The rankings…"
"…will likely change considerably this time."
The meaning behind his words was obvious.
Several disciples immediately looked toward Fang Lin as well.
Xu Ren sneered faintly.
"Especially when certain newcomers overestimate themselves."
Yue Fang added,
"Maybe he won by fluke last time."
Murong Yue immediately frowned.
"Say what you want directly."
Xu Ren laughed coldly.
"You think he deserves standing among us already?"
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Luo Chen slowly leaned forward slightly.
"And if he does?"
Xu Ren's eyes narrowed.
"Then he can prove it during the competition."
Fang Lin remained calm throughout the exchange.
No emotion appeared on his face.
Chen Hao raised a hand slightly again.
"Enough."
The hall quieted immediately.
His authority within the faction side was obvious.
Chen Hao's gaze swept through the gathered disciples calmly.
"This gathering is not for pointless arguments."
"We're here because the competition affects all of us."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
Another voice suddenly echoed from above.
"And because some of you…"
"…still underestimate the situation."
The entire hall instantly froze.
Every disciple immediately stood up.
Even Chen Hao's expression shifted slightly.
Fang Lin's eyes narrowed faintly as he looked upward.
Two figures had appeared silently above the central platform.
One wore black robes.
The other white.
Their auras were calm—
Yet overwhelmingly powerful.
Inner Sect Elders.
The pressure they emitted alone made the hall noticeably heavier.
The elder in black robes slowly glanced across the hall indifferently.
"This year's competition…"
"…will not tolerate hidden interference."
His voice carried enormous pressure.
Meanwhile, the elder in white robes spoke calmly afterward,
"Both the Faction and Alliance will oversee the competition personally."
"Any violation…"
"…will be punished severely."
The hall remained deathly silent.
Even Xu Ren no longer dared speak casually.
Fang Lin quietly observed the two elders.
One represented the Faction.
The other—
The Alliance.
Yet despite standing together—
Their eyes never once met.
And at that moment—
Fang Lin finally understood clearly.
The Green Bamboo Sect…
Was already standing on the edge of internal division.