Top-tier Unruly Master

Ding Fan drew number 302, which placed him in the fifth batch, with his opponent being number 613. Ding Fan glanced at the small card before putting it away. He estimated that, being in the fifth batch, it should be his turn by the morning.

Meanwhile, Wang Hu drew number 724, entering in the first batch. Seeing his number, Wang Hu couldn't help but feel a bit excited. He hadn't expected to draw the first batch. Wang Hu was both happy and nervous. After all, the sooner he went on stage, the sooner his worries would disappear, and everyone was full of fighting spirit, encouraged by the rich rewards, and at their peak mental state.

Clearly, the earlier one goes on stage, the better they perform.

Wang Hu's opponent was number 805. Wang Hu had no idea who his opponent might be, as the cards only had numbers and didn't write out the opponent's name. Wang Hu could only pray in his heart that he wouldn't meet a very formidable disciple, hoping he could smoothly pass the first round of the competition.

After all, in this Outer Sect disciple competition, only the top fifty disciples have the opportunity to enter the Inner Sect to study and become Inner Sect Disciples. However, if one's performance during the competition is particularly outstanding, there's also a chance to enter the Inner Sect and become an Inner Sect Disciple. Therefore, Wang Hu knew that as long as he persevered until the end, even if he didn't rank in the top fifty, if he performed exceptionally well and gained the favor of some elders, he would still have a great chance to enter the Inner Sect and become an Inner Sect Disciple.

Becoming an Inner Sect Disciple is indeed an incredibly important matter for an Outer Sect Disciple; it's the goal all Outer Sect Disciples strive for.

Wang Hu naturally also values this opportunity very much. After all, since entering the Sect, he had offended people and received "special treatment." For him to still have the chance to participate in the Outer Sect disciple competition, he was most grateful to his big brother. Without his big brother, he would not even have had the chance to take part in the Outer Sect disciple competition; whether he'd even still be alive was another question altogether.

His big brother is the most important benefactor in his life, so for his benefactor, he has to perform well and strive to enter the Inner Sect, to become an Inner Sect disciple.

Wang Hu hadn't expected to indeed be the first batch to enter the assessment, which was both fortunate and potentially risky. The fortunate part was that currently, his condition was still good, and being able to compete in a state of complete mental readiness was naturally a good thing. However, if he was eliminated in the first batch...

Then the impression some judge elders would have of him would be the most profound, and he might have absolutely no chance of entering the Inner Sect.

For a moment, Wang Hu's heart was both excited and apprehensive, he clenched his fists repeatedly, feeling a bit restless inside.

"Brother, relax, you will definitely enter the Inner Sect!"

At that moment, Ding Fan had already seen the card Wang Hu drew and knew that Wang Hu was in the first batch of the competition. Seeing that Wang Hu appeared a bit uneasy, he couldn't help but look at him with a very trusting expression and comforted him.

"Hmm, ...big brother, I... I will." Wang Hu, hearing Ding Fan's words, got a bit nervous and started to stutter.

Beside him, Lianzi and others, seeing Wang Hu in this state, couldn't help but smile and tease:

"Wang Hu, don't be nervous, okay! The first batch competition is no big deal; just give it your all!"

"Yeah, besides, it's just a competition, and there's no danger involved. You know it's not allowed to severely injure your opponent during the competition! Don't be scared!"

At this moment, Lianzi and Liu Yan comforted Wang Hu with sincere expressions. They had become quite familiar with Wang Hu by now, probably because he often went to find Ding Fan. Lianzi and the others also had a very good impression of Wang Hu, who was honest and sincere. Importantly, being able to call Ding Fan his brother, it was clear Ding Fan's judgment wouldn't be wrong.

But they didn't expect Wang Hu to be so nervous at this moment, although they could understand. After all, this Outer Sect disciple competition is very important for all Outer Sect Disciples!

It's a crucial step in determining future development, and if there's a chance to enter the Inner Sect and receive the full cultivation support of the Sect, it's exceedingly beneficial for any disciple.

However, they still felt that Wang Hu's behavior was a bit exaggerated. They themselves were also disciples participating in the competition, but looking around, Wang Hu's nervousness was the most exaggerated. Even his body seemed to be trembling.

Upon hearing those words, Wang Hu thought there was some truth in them. After all, this was simply a competition, and no one would die. Was there a need for him to be this nervous?

But no matter how much Wang Hu thought about it, it was still very difficult to overcome. Due to his nervousness, his legs were shaking uncontrollably.

"Look at this guy shaking, do you think he'll faint later! Haha..."

"His mental fortitude is too weak, he hasn't even got on stage yet, and he's already like this! Looks like he'll definitely be fodder!"

"He's obviously a coward..."

...

For a moment, many cultivators around Wang Hu noticed him, and seeing his appearance couldn't help but look at him with disdain and occasionally make comments.

Hearing the discussions around him, Wang Hu looked very distressed and ashamed, yet he couldn't refute others. Who made him such a mess, to be already this nervous even before going on stage.

Moreover, Wang Hu even felt this wasn't a psychological issue anymore, but rather a physiological one, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't control it.

At this moment, Ding Fan saw Wang Hu's appearance and heard the surrounding comments. His gaze coldly swept over those cultivators who were still disdainfully talking about Wang Hu.

Ding Fan's icy stare made everyone feel as if they had fallen into a bone-chilling ice cave, and they immediately closed their mouths in shock, moving a bit away from Ding Fan. Although the discussions around them ceased, some cultivators still paid attention to Wang Hu, showing a hint of contempt on their faces.

At this moment, Wang Hu occasionally glanced at his brother Ding Fan, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Don't be nervous, Wang Hu. Take this Calm Spirit Pill."

Zhou Xiao, seeing Wang Hu's demeanor, sincerely comforted him while handing over a Calm Spirit Pill. After a brief conversation with Wang Hu, she had a good impression of him. Seeing Wang Hu's nervousness, she immediately took out the pill and, with a sweet and considerate voice, offered it to him.

Hearing Zhou Xiao's words, Wang Hu's heart was taken aback. In his heart, she had long held the status of a goddess, not just because she was beautiful, but more so because of the good impression he felt from her. This feeling of being appreciated by a goddess was quite wonderful.

However, inexperienced in matters of romantic relationships, Wang Hu didn't realize that Zhou Xiao's feelings for him were merely friendly. It seemed Wang Hu might have overthought it a bit.

Ding Fan saw this too, and although it was clear Zhou Xiao wasn't very interested in his brother, she wasn't a flirtatious woman. Obviously, she saw Wang Hu as a friend. After all, Wang Hu was quite good himself, and their future relationship development was uncertain.

Hence, Ding Fan chose not to say much.

"Thank you."

Wang Hu said to Zhou Xiao while accepting the pill. Even before taking the medicine, just having a brief chat with Zhou Xiao stopped his body from trembling, which made those around them quietly smile to themselves.

In the eyes of Lianzi and the others, although Wang Hu's strength was slightly inferior to Zhou Xiao's, they still made a good team.

However, nobody said much more. Zhou Xiao just gave a faint smile and shyly looked elsewhere, not feeling negative about Wang Hu, apart from his weaker strength, he was pretty good otherwise.

But after all, she was a cultivator at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, and Wang Hu was only at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. The man she sought had to be stronger than herself, no matter what, so she'd better not overthink it...

Contrary to others' doubts, Ding Fan didn't mind. Wang Hu, though not exceptionally talented in terms of cultivation, had quite a gift for martial arts.

Initially, Ding Fan thought that Wang Hu wouldn't be able to learn the Fist Technique from the mysterious stele, but the outcome surprised him. Once, accidentally, Ding Fan truly witnessed Wang Hu executing "Golden Dragon Emergence" in a forest!

At that time, Ding Fan was exceedingly surprised, not expecting his brother to possess such a high talent in martial arts. Although this Fist Technique was slightly less refined than what he practiced, it was impossible to overlook for the average cultivator!

It should be known that with "Golden Dragon Emergence," Ding Fan had easily defeated Meng Haotian at the Late Nascent Soul Stage. The power contained in this Fist Technique was not something Ding Fan could fully comprehend!

Therefore, Ding Fan believed that Wang Hu's strength might not be much weaker than Zhou Xiao's, or he could even be stronger.

At this moment, Wang Hu had taken the Calm Spirit Pill, an immensely valuable medicine pill that improved a cultivator's mental state, helping them gain insight into bottlenecks and aiding breakthroughs. For this, Wang Hu was extremely grateful to Zhou Xiao. He never imagined she would give him such a precious pill.

After taking the pill, Wang Hu was finally not so tense, feeling more at ease, although it was relatively relaxing compared to earlier. In truth, Wang Hu was still quite nervous inside.

After about the time it took for half an incense stick to burn, all the competing outer sect disciples had drawn their lots. Next came the start of the first-round competition.

Then, as the elder announced, pairs of disciples entered their martial arts venue to participate in the first-round competition.

At this moment, Wang Hu also entered the corresponding martial arts venue according to the number on his card.

The martial arts venue was on a vast plain directly in front of the Southern Square, an endlessly expansive plain spanning tens of thousands of hectares, incredibly vast. At present, some disciples were entering one after another for the grand competition, making the plains seem both spacious and expansive.

If one looked closely, two stewards acted as referees near each martial arts venue, appearing very earnest as they watched the disciples enter for the first round of competition.

The disciples respectfully greeted the stewards, as all the cultivators participating in the first-round competition were polite, clearly hoping to earn the goodwill of the referees, which might be advantageous to them.

Wang Hu, like the other disciples, entered the martial arts venue, but when he saw his opponent, he was dumbfounded. How could it be him?

The one who once tried to poison his big brother— the top outer sect disciple, Gao Qi!

This seemed like a big joke.

All of a sudden, Wang Hu's expression turned grim. He never expected such coincidence!