Chapter 36: Preparations Before the Competition

In the side hall of the Steward Pavilion, before the Merit Workshop, the curtain of light rippled like water, task entries flickering ceaselessly in dense succession.

Bai Yue stood before the light, her gaze scanning the information with swift precision. Her eyes were focused, discarding all trivial tasks with low contribution points. She locked onto only those with decent rewards and minimal time required—hunting and gathering missions.

“Clear the woodborers from the herb garden, ten points… Is this meant for beggars?”

“Escort the alchemist to the western valley to gather herbs, two days, thirty points… Not worth the trouble.”

“Collect ten pounds of Cold Iron slag, sixteen points… What use is it other than weighing down your hand?”

Ye Ming’s endless commentary echoed in her mind, filtering out the worthless tasks she’d already ignored, punctuating each with his own critique.

“Quiet,” Bai Yue murmured inwardly.

A barely perceptible thread of spiritual energy condensed at her fingertip. She tapped a corner of the light curtain. “This one.”

It was a mission to eradicate the “Rotclaw Jackals.” These beasts usually moved in packs, cunning and venomous, their claws laced with decay, notoriously troublesome. Yet the contribution points were generous—sixty in total. Their territory was marked in a valley at the edge of the Azure Cloud Sect’s outer mountains, less than half a day’s journey.

“Rotclaw Jackals? Sounds promising…” Ye Ming’s spirits rose instantly.

“Alright, let’s take it.”

Without further discussion, Bai Yue accepted the task and strode away. Time pressed upon her; she had ten days to earn enough points to exchange for items that would increase her odds in the upcoming competition.

In the days that followed, the outer disciples witnessed a nearly frenzied Bai Yue. She darted incessantly between the task hall and the mountain gate. She often returned bearing the faint scent of blood or dust, traded her contributions, and vanished again without pause.

She sought out only the toughest prey: Rotclaw Jackals, Venomspit Spiders, even the occasional lone Spirit Python. Tasks that ordinary disciples would only attempt in teams, she took on almost single-handedly.

The battles were not always smooth. Once, while ambushing three Spirit Pythons, one lashed out in a death throe, its violent surge nearly shattering her defenses. It was Ye Ming, in that critical moment, who subtly shifted the angle of her sword with spiritual energy, dissipating most of the force, sparing her from broken bones—leaving her merely shaken.

“Left side, slide three steps, strike its belly! Beautiful!”

“Watch out for the one behind—spitting venom! Disgusting, dodge quickly!”

“Put some strength in it—haven’t you eaten? That last blow was so feeble!”

Ye Ming’s guidance grew increasingly sharp, no longer limited to pointing out weaknesses, but now including precise tips on power, footwork transitions, even demanding critiques on the instantaneous output of spiritual force.

Bai Yue gritted her teeth and endured, treating each battle as a rehearsal for the competition, transforming every one of his sarcastic remarks into motivation for adjustment.

Her spiritual power grew more refined with each cycle of extreme depletion and recovery. Her control over her body and mastery of combat rhythm improved at a pace visible to the naked eye.

Her cooperation with Ye Ming became ever more fluid; often, his intent reached her just as her sword struck.

Five days later, Bai Yue stood once again before the light curtain of the Merit Workshop. Her identity token now held a substantial sum of contribution points.

She walked straight to the exchange area.

“Quick, quick, see if there’s anything good!” Ye Ming was more impatient than she.

“Is there an elixir that instantly restores all spiritual power? Or a divine talisman that splits mountains with one strike?”

Bai Yue ignored his wild fantasies, her gaze cool and methodical as she scanned the exchange list.

She spent sixty points first, acquiring three “Sharp Gold Talismans.” These would briefly enhance the sharpness of her blade, not as potent as Ye Ming’s true form, but useful for conserving spiritual energy or confusing opponents at critical moments.

Next, she used forty points to obtain two “Solid Earth Shield Talismans,” capable of withstanding several full-force attacks from late-stage Qi Refining cultivators—a modest layer of protection.

Her gaze fell upon the weapons section. Her backup sword had long since been destroyed in the Sunken Sword Valley; she needed a new one for appearances—she couldn’t always wrap Ye Ming in gray cloth.

“Hey, why are you looking at that junk metal? Am I not enough?” Ye Ming grew alert, his tone sour.

“Are you seeking a new partner?”

“For concealment,” Bai Yue replied succinctly.

She selected the “Flowfrost Sword,” priced at one hundred fifty points. Its slender blade had respectable toughness—a high-end item among the outer disciples.

“Hmph, flashy but hollow, all show, no substance.” Ye Ming grumbled, but reluctantly accepted the reasoning.

“Fine, as a prop. But remember, when it counts, you still need me!”

After redeeming the Flowfrost Sword and talismans, her contribution points dwindled dramatically. Bai Yue felt no regret, turning to the pill section and exchanging the remainder for two bottles of Harmony Pills and Vitality Pills.

When she left the Steward Pavilion with her new sword and supplies, she crossed paths with Sun Wei and Li Mao, who had also come to exchange items.

Sun Wei’s eyes flashed with obvious jealousy at the high-grade Flowfrost Sword in Bai Yue’s hand. Her gaze darkened further upon seeing the bulging pouch of talismans at Bai Yue’s waist.

Her own cultivation had stagnated at the sixth level of Qi Refining for some time; resources were scarce, and her hopes for the competition slim.

Li Mao’s attention lingered on Bai Yue for a moment, his look appraising. His injuries seemed healed, his aura more composed than before—clearly he too was preparing for the contest.

His gaze swept over the Flowfrost Sword, and a barely perceptible sneer curled his lips, as if unimpressed.

No words were exchanged as they passed each other.

“Tch, a defeated foe—what’s he so smug about?” Ye Ming silently scorned Li Mao’s retreating figure.

“And that Sun girl—her eyes are practically itching to snatch our sword and talismans.”

“Best not to meet us in the tournament, or she’ll regret it.”

Bai Yue paid the episode no mind. Returning to her cabin, she set a ward and placed the new sword on the table.

Ye Ming’s consciousness immediately wrapped around it, critiquing:

“Showy grain pattern, ordinary steel, core toughness lacking, slight tremor when swung… not quite up to par.”

Bai Yue picked up the Flowfrost Sword, twirled it, familiarizing herself with its feel. It was indeed inferior to Ye Ming, but sufficient.

She began to tally her supplies: three Sharp Gold Talismans, two Solid Earth Shield Talismans, two bottles of Harmony and Vitality Pills, and the Flowfrost Sword.

It was all she could muster for now.

“Not nearly enough,” Ye Ming sighed.

“Talismans are consumables, pills won’t last long. If you want to make a real splash, take a stroll through the inner sect’s vault…”

“These will suffice,” Bai Yue cut off his dangerous idea.

She stored her supplies and sat cross-legged.

“In these final days, I must consolidate my cultivation, familiarize myself with the new sword, and your spiritual feedback must become more precise.”

“Understood, understood. I’ll make sure you’re served comfortably, spiritual energy flowing like silk, not a flaw to be seen,” Ye Ming promised.

Then he brightened, “By the way, how confident are you about making the top three?”

Bai Yue closed her eyes, spiritual energy slowly circulating.

“Uncertain,” she replied honestly.

“The outer sect is full of hidden talents. There are those at the eighth or even ninth level of Qi Refining.”

“And everyone will fight desperately.”

“What’s there to fear!” Ye Ming’s spirit soared.

“With me as your secret weapon, whether eighth or ninth level, we’ll slice through them all—we’ll win!”

“Together, we’ll carve our path!”

His confidence, always nearly blind, dispelled the pre-competition gloom and pressure.

A faint curve appeared at Bai Yue’s lips; she spoke no further, plunging herself into cultivation.

Outside, night deepened.

Inside, a single lamp cast its glow, illuminating the girl’s tranquil face and the gray-cloth sword lying quietly on the table.

The ten-day mark approached in a blink.