Top-tier Unruly Master

Time flies, and half a month passes in the blink of an eye.

Now there's only one day left until the Outer Sect Disciple Competition. The tense atmosphere within the sect is palpable everywhere, with nearly every training spot packed with people, as all the outer sect disciples make their final push during these last moments.

In these final days, even the sound of discussions is rare; every cultivator disciple is completely focused on training, and even those negative words that some cultivators used previously to demoralize opponents no longer have any effect.

Boom!

In a small grove, with a loud bang, a towering tree suddenly explodes.

Boom boom boom!

Then the rumbling continues, and the grove is filled with waves of air, dust flying, and leaves swirling chaotically in the sky.

In the grove, Wang Hu continues to swing his fists, long ignoring his sweat-soaked clothes, his blood vessels bulging on his flushed face. Recently, Wang Hu has been training according to Big Brother Ding Fan's guidance, and his cultivation has improved quite a bit; he's just a small step away from reaching the Nascent Soul Early Stage. Yet, what Wang Hu is most grateful to Big Brother Ding Fan for is the technique in delivering power that his brother taught him.

After this period of training, he clearly feels a significant improvement in his strength.

"Come on, hit me with a punch!"

Beside him, Ding Fan comments seriously as he looks at Wang Hu.

Upon hearing Ding Fan's words, Wang Hu immediately approaches Ding Fan, his gaze tightening, and suddenly his True Qi surges around him.

"Big Brother, be careful!"

Wang Hu shouts loudly, punching both fists towards Ding Fan! At the same time, his mind automatically recalls the essentials that his big brother repeatedly reminded him of, now no longer needing deliberate thought, but acting purely out of habit.

Boom!

Ding Fan uses True Qi to envelop his hands and clashes head-on with Wang Hu's fists!

At the moment of collision, Wang Hu involuntarily steps back three steps, then powers down hard to halt his retreat, simultaneously staring in fear at Ding Fan.

At this moment, Ding Fan's body merely trembles slightly, and he looks at Wang Hu with some satisfaction, a faint smile briefly crossing his calm face.

"Not bad, you should be more than capable of dealing with some female cultivators now..."

Ding Fan comments calmly.

Wang Hu, hearing his brother's words, is stunned. What? Such a fierce punch is only enough to deal with some female cultivators? Although cultivation in the Cultivation World doesn't differentiate by gender, why do these words sound so awkward?

Seeing Wang Hu's confused expression, Ding Fan laughs lightly and pats his shoulder, saying:

"Just kidding, you've already done great."

Upon hearing his brother's words, Wang Hu realizes that Ding Fan was just joking with him. This sudden shift to a humorous speaking style by his big brother is a bit hard to adjust to, yet it feels warm, giving a homely sensation.

"Haha, big brother, you're flattering me…"

Wang Hu laughs clumsily, somewhat embarrassed.

Seeing Wang Hu like this, Ding Fan also feels much relieved. Since coming to the Cultivation World, he has been tense and tirelessly looking for Zhou Ruoran, Gusu Qingwen, and Ye Ningbing; sometimes, he feels quite lonely. Since acknowledging Wang Hu as a brother, there's definitely more of a homey feeling. Surely, with Wang Hu's honest nature, Zhou Ruoran and the others will also like him a lot.

"Hope to find you all soon, so we can reunite early..."

At this moment, the warm and gentle afternoon twilight scatters over the small grove, as Ding Fan sits quietly on a rock watching the sunset, his mind filled with memories of Zhou Ruoran, Gusu Qingwen, Ye Ningbing...

...

Wang Hu doesn't disturb Big Brother. He knows Big Brother always comes here to sit quietly for a while, understanding that Big Brother is missing his relatives. Although Wang Hu cannot entirely feel the deep longing Big Brother has for his relatives, he understands.

In his heart, Wang Hu admires Big Brother Ding Fan greatly, considering him as his own family for a long time. He often helps Big Brother inquire about the whereabouts of the three people Ding Fan is looking for, but within the vast human sea of the Cultivation World, finding three people is tremendously difficult. However, for Big Brother's sake, he won't give up.

After a while, Wang Hu walks alone towards home. Initially, he felt quite awkward being arranged here in the remote grove, but since meeting Big Brother, he feels he should thank that "Captain Meng," otherwise he wouldn't have known Big Brother, who wouldn't have taught him, leading to such vast improvement.

Though always honest and straightforward, Wang Hu only does practical training with Ding Fan without actually sparring with others, unsure just how powerful he is now. Yet he can feel that he has progressed compared to those sect disciples with superior conditions, finding himself not far off.

Just as Wang Hu walks home, suddenly a group of people approaches from the roadside.

Leading them is a handsome young man in white, looking at Wang Hu with a grim face.

"Are you Wang Hu?"

"You are Gao Qi?"

Upon seeing the young man, Wang Hu immediately recognizes him; this Gao Qi is a standout among this batch of outer sect disciples, boasting strength at the Nascent Soul Early Stage Peak, quite prestigious among the outer sect disciples. Coupled with his handsome appearance, he has attracted many female cultivators, wholly becoming a sect disciple beloved by both genders. Usually, he is quite ostentatious, somewhat arrogant, rarely acknowledging others.

At this moment, Wang Hu looks at him with a wary face. This opponent, with a Nascent Soul Early Stage Peak strength, is unmatched by few in the outer sect. Additionally, he's accompanied by four or five cultivator disciples at the Late Stage of Fetal Breathing, seeing their unfriendly demeanor, it's evident this won't be anything good.

Gao Qi looks at Wang Hu with utter disdain and a hint of ridicule, saying:

"Since you recognize me, it will be easier to handle! This is a pill that can enhance cultivation power. Your task will be completed by giving it to Ding Fan to consume before tomorrow's external disciple competition."

Gao Qi said and handed the pill in his hand to Wang Hu.

Wang Hu's expression was grave, and he involuntarily accepted the pill, understanding that this pill couldn't possibly enhance cultivation power. It certainly wasn't anything good. This was a ploy to have me harm my brother.

However, having learned from the obstruction by Meng Zihao last time, Wang Hu wasn't as naive this time. Outnumbered, he knew he wouldn't be able to compete.

"Let me tell you, don't think of playing any tricks. If you dare to disobey, I can guarantee you'll meet a miserable end in tomorrow's external disciple competition!"

Gao Qi spoke venomously to Wang Hu.

Wang Hu was bewildered for a moment, wondering what his brother did to offend this guy, and why he suddenly wanted to harm his brother. As Wang Hu was pondering, he suddenly recognized one of the white-robed disciples as familiar, realizing it was someone often seen following Meng Haotian. Wang Hu clearly recalled seeing this white-robed disciple when Meng Haotian came to challenge his brother.

So this was also at Meng Haotian's behest. At this moment, Wang Hu understood. Though Gao Qi was outstanding among external disciples, he couldn't hold his own against Captain Meng Haotian. Apparently, Gao Qi was colluding with Meng Haotian after all.

At this moment, Gao Qi solemnly stared at the dazed Wang Hu, then nudged him.

"Did you hear me?"

"I heard, I heard. I even want to enter the Inner Sect as an Inner Sect Disciple."

Wang Hu nodded with a hint of fear on his face.

Gao Qi, sneering at Wang Hu's demeanor, laughed with the white-robed disciples around him:

"Haha, with that foolish look, he wants to be an Inner Sect Disciple? Haha... That's the biggest joke of all..."

"Young Master Gao is right! With that foolishness, entering the Inner Sect? He'll be lucky enough to make it out alive..."

"Haha..."

"..."

For a moment, several white-robed disciples followed Gao Qi's words with laughter.

"Let's go!"

Then Gao Qi leisurely left with several white-robed disciples, as their laughter continued...

At this moment, Wang Hu watched their backs, his face filled with resentment. Make me harm my brother? Dream on! Why can't I enter the Inner Sect as an Inner Sect Disciple?

Pah!

Wang Hu spat in disgust at the departing figures. His own progression into the Inner Sect was his own matter, far superior to these bullies leveraging their status!

In no time, Wang Hu quickly ran to Ding Fan, recounting the entire incident and handing the "pill" to Ding Fan.

After hearing Wang Hu's account, Ding Fan's expression became solemn, then spoke to Wang Hu:

"I understand. Get some rest first. Tomorrow is the external disciple competition. Don't let this matter affect tomorrow's competition."

"Yes, brother, I'm fine. Just be conscious of your safety."

Wang Hu anxiously said to Ding Fan.

Ding Fan nodded silently, saying no more. Soon after, Wang Hu returned home.

At this moment, Ding Fan's eyes flashed with killing intent. If not for his lack of status within the sect, he would've killed Meng Haotian directly that day, preventing much trouble.

He was not overly concerned about himself but rather worried for Wang Hu, who had indirectly offended them.

It seemed he should help Wang Hu quickly enhance his cultivation, as Wang Hu needed some self-protection capabilities.

After a short while, as dusk approached, Ding Fan also returned home.

A night of usual cultivation passed, and soon, daylight broke.

Today was the first day of the external disciple competition.

All cultivators from the Great Ocean Sect had to gather at the sect's Southern Square. Ding Fan and Wang Hu promptly headed to the Southern Square.

At this moment, Ding Fan observed that Wang Hu's condition was quite good, allowing Ding Fan to feel slightly relieved. The two of them soon encountered many sect disciples on their way to the Southern Square.

After all, the external disciple competition was a significant event for the Dayang Sect, held once every five years. Thus, the sect demanded all disciples, except those on sentry duty, to participate.

On the way, Ding Fan and Wang Hu heard many cultivators talking incessantly. Clearly, everyone was thrilled by this grand occasion. Especially the external disciples, who had been training hard recently, were eagerly anticipating this day.

For external disciples, the various treatments within the sect were the worst, making this external disciple competition their most critical opportunity for advancement! Excellent performance in the competition could lead to becoming Inner Sect Disciples, ensuring a prosperous future beyond imagination!