My Life as a Cultivator in a Game

Chapter 17: Losing Dignity

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the area of the Martial Arena, a vast crowd had gathered at this moment. Numerous outer sect disciples had arrived here.

Some came to participate in the Grand Competition, while others came to watch.

Those who came to watch could not enter the Central Arena but could only stay in the outer area. Many stood on nearby mountains to observe. Being cultivators, their eyesight was good enough to see clearly.

Apart from the outer sect disciples, there were also attendants and elders of the outer sect. Most of them were hovering in the air, their hands folded, emanating an air of transcendence.

Compared to the cultivators who could not fly with their swords, their display was much more impressive.

At this moment, two streaks of sword light cut through the sky and landed outside the Martial Arena.

It was none other than Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi. In Lu Gaoyang’s hand was a person—Lu Yi.

Sensing the gazes of nearby outer sect disciples, Lu Yi felt his face reddening. He was, after all, a somewhat distinguished figure in the outer sect. No one would have thought he’d be carried like that.

Lu Yi lamented inwardly, ‘My heroic and dignified image was completely shattered…’

Determined, Lu Yi vowed to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage as quickly as possible and learn sword flight at the earliest opportunity.

Lu Gaoyang set Lu Yi down and patted his shoulder, saying, “You rascal, just do your best in everything, don’t push yourself too hard.”

Wang Siqi smiled faintly and said, “Yi, do your best. I believe you’re the best.”

Lu Yi smiled back at his parents and said, “I know.”

Both Lu Gaoyang and Wang Siqi nodded slightly before transforming into streaks of light and flying into the air, joining their colleagues.

Meanwhile, Lu Yi headed towards the Martial Arena. On his way, the outer sect disciples greeted him with smiles.

“Lu Yi.”

“Lu Yi, you’re here!”

“Lu Yi…”

Lu Yi nodded and smiled in response, soon arriving at the interior of the Martial Arena. This was where the participants of the Grand Competition were gathering.

Compared to the entire population of outer sect disciples, the number of participants in the Grand Competition was much smaller, but it still amounted to tens of thousands.

The Martial Arena was still filled with a sea of people. Some disciples were meditating alone, while others were chatting in groups of twos and threes. When they saw Lu Yi, most disciples nodded and greeted him.

“Lu Yi! Over here!”

At this moment, Lu Yi heard a familiar voice. He turned his head and saw Lu Ling, Wang Wulian, and Wang Xinqi standing on the side. Lu Ling waved to Lu Yi, a smile on his face.

Lu Yi chuckled and walked over, “Hey, everyone.”

“Lu Yi, you finally came. The selection is about to begin, and I was worried you might not make it,” Wang Wulian said with a smile.

Lu Ling also smiled and said, “Lu Yi is the son of Attendant Lu Gaoyang. He would certainly bring him here. What is there to worry about?”

Wang Wulian smirked, “I was worried we’d have one less opponent.”

Rolling his eyes, Lu Ling retorted, “We didn’t win a single time in our last sparring session.”

“But things are different this time! My sword technique has already reached the Transformation stage!” Wang Wulian grinned confidently. “This time, my goal is to make it to the top thirty!”

Hearing that, Lu Yi smiled and congratulated, “Congratulations, Wulian.”

“I have to thank you, Lu Yi. I owe you one,” Wang Wulian expressed his gratitude sincerely.

As the four of them conversed, before long, a figure streaked across the sky and landed on the central stage. It was an elderly man with graying hair, a serious expression, and dressed in white robes.

The man was Dugu Fang, the Grand Elder of the outer sect. It was said that his cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Core stage, on the verge of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. Within the outer sect, he was undoubtedly the strongest, and even within the entire White Cloud Sect, he was considered a formidable presence.

As Dugu Fang appeared, the noisy chatter gradually subsided. Everyone’s attention was now focused on him—such was the majesty of a Grand Elder.

Dugu Fang’s gaze swept across the crowd below, and he began to speak, “It’s once again time for the annual Outer Sect Grand Competition. I hope that this time, someone can truly shine and make a name for themselves in White Cloud Sect. Now, let the selection begin. This year’s selection is the same as before. Withstands my pressure for thirty minutes, and you shall pass.”

As he spoke, Dugu Fang produced an ordinary-looking incense stick. With a simple motion, the incense was ignited.

Dugu Fang then tossed the incense stick, and its wooden end, resembling iron and gold, pierced the stone platform at the center of the arena, slowly burning.

“Let’s begin.”

As he finished, an immensely powerful pressure emanated from Dugu Fang’s body, spreading in all directions. Soon, it enveloped the entire Martial Arena.

Instantly, the disciples who were standing felt pressure on their chests. Many of the disciples at the Level 5 Qi Refiner stage or above were swaying and struggling to maintain their balance. Some even turned pale, and a few coughed up blood before collapsing.

Although most of the participants were at the Level 5 Qi Refiner stage or above, there were always some young and arrogant ones who believed they were special. Even if they were only at the Level 3 or Level 4 Qi Refiner stage, they thought they could make a name for themselves by participating. Each Grand Competition had its share of such disciples.

They were not as special as they believed. Under the pressure of a Golden Core powerhouse, they could not even endure a single breath.

In contrast, those at the Level 5 Qi Refiner stage were coping better. They felt the pressure on their chests but were able to withstand it by circulating their spiritual energy.

As for those with higher cultivation levels, they showed even better composure. Lu Yi, facing this pressure, felt like a gentle breeze against his face. He had almost no reaction.

Lu Yi glanced at the others. Wang Wulian and Lu Ling seemed at ease, apparently unaffected. Wang Xinqi was slightly worse off, his complexion a bit pale. Nevertheless, Wang Xinqi’s performance was quite remarkable compared to those at the Level 5 or Level 6 Qi Refiner stage.

Just then, Lu Yi thought of something and muttered to himself, “I need to pass the selection.”

Although Lu Yi had already received the task for the Grand Competition, he wondered if there might be an additional selection task that he could trigger.

Yet, after waiting for a while, the task interface remained unchanged. Lu Yi could not receive any new tasks in this situation.

Lu Yi felt a bit disappointed, but it was not unexpected. The loophole was quite significant, and according to his research on the task interface, the chances of success were inherently low. He decided not to dwell on it any longer.

As time passed, several cultivators at the Level 5 Qi Refiner stage began to sway, finding it hard to maintain their balance. Some even fell to the ground, unable to withstand the selection’s pressure.

Wang Wulian and Lu Ling began circulating their spiritual energy. They glanced at Lu Yi and nodded in acknowledgment. Indeed, despite being only at the Level 7 Qi Refiner stage, Lu Yi did not need to circulate his spiritual energy and effortlessly withstood the Grand Elder Dugu Fang’s pressure.

Soon, thirty minutes passed, and Dugu Fang dispelled the pressure. In the Martial Arena, only a fraction of the disciples remained standing. Many at the Level 5 Qi Refiner stage cultivators had failed, and those who managed to pass were mostly at higher cultivation levels.

Dugu Fang glanced at the remaining disciples, feeling somewhat disappointed. The quality of the outer sect disciples had not changed much this time.

But Dugu Fang was not too surprised by this outcome. He spoke, “Those who passed the selection, stay. Others, leave the Martial Arena.”

The failed disciples wore bitter expressions, supporting each other as they exited the arena. Even those who had fainted earlier were being led away by acquaintances.

Soon, only the disciples who had passed the selection remained in the arena. However, even so, there were still nearly ten thousand of them. The number was still quite substantial.

The Grand Competition had traditionally lasted for several days, and this practice had its reasons. After all, there were simply too many disciples in White Cloud Sect.