Chapter 169: The Bootlicking Immortal Lord Who Wants to Live Off a Woman.35

As the three contestants safely stepped down from the Arena Stage, Sect Master Xia turned to the man who had earlier mocked him and gave a faint smile.

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? It’s just a team-up, right? But I have to say, your disciples didn’t exactly do a great job of ganging up. With strength like that, they have to stick together…”

Sect Master Xia’s smile was calm and serene, but his sarcasm was sharp enough to draw blood.

The other Sect Leader’s face flushed red.

Useless disciples! So many of you ganged up and still couldn’t win. And you’ve got the nerve to show your faces out here? You’ve completely disgraced your master!

Due to the large number of participants, the competition stretched on for three full days.

By the third day, it was finally time for the top 300 to battle it out.

Shen Xiuyan’s alternate identity didn’t make it into this round. After all, anyone in the top 1,000 would be allowed into the Secret Realm, so there was no need for him to stand out.

If his disguise were to slip, it’d be him in the awkward spot.

So, on the second day, once he saw his rank was secure, he made a show of accidentally slipping off the Arena Stage and bowed out of the remaining matches.

Today was the most important day—the final rankings of the top 300 would be decided.

Several Arena Stages were active at once, with two contestants facing off on each. Wang Gang was among them.

He stood with a solemn expression and said, “Please.”

His opponent replied, “Then I won’t hold back.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he dashed forward. The two immediately clashed, exchanging blows in a fierce back-and-forth. Thunder cracked and sparks flew between them.

Wang Gang’s face grew more serious. His opponent’s strength was clearly on par with his own. Is this where my journey ends?

No. He refused to accept that.

With every ounce of strength he had, Wang Gang charged forward. His opponent, who had looked relaxed at first, now tensed up.

As the two locked into a dead heat, the other fighter suddenly flung out several talismans—high-grade ones, judging by their power. Wang Gang was forced to retreat step by step.

The Grand Competition wasn’t just about strength—it was also about resources.

This year’s rules didn’t ban the use of talismans or medicinal pills, only limited the quantity.

After all, the Sect Leaders believed that in the face of true power, talismans and pills were just petty tricks, incapable of swaying the outcome.

But disciples from wealthy backgrounds could always get their hands on high-tier talismans. And Wang Gang had just run into one of them.

Pfft—

He coughed up blood, clutching his aching chest as he slowly fell back.

Just as he tried to regulate his breath, his opponent gave him no chance, charging in again.

Wang Gang was out of strength. Defeat loomed. Unwilling to give up, his mind raced.

He frantically searched his Hundred Treasures Pouch for anything usable. But at this crucial moment, he couldn’t find a single suitable artifact.

Suddenly, he sensed a white porcelain bottle tucked in a corner—the one his junior brother had given him earlier.

He had no idea what it did.

After joining Biluo Peak, he’d been so busy cultivating that he’d completely forgotten about it.

But now, in this desperate moment, he couldn’t afford to be picky. He still remembered how effective that pill from his junior brother had been.

Wang Gang pulled out the pill. A dark, floral fragrance burst forth, instantly spreading across the entire competition ground.

Everyone instinctively sniffed the air, trying to catch more of that intoxicating scent.

Up on the High Platform, the Sect Leaders stared in disbelief.

Is that… the Purple Cloud Pill?!

How could a mere disciple possess such a heaven-defying medicinal pill?

And now he was about to waste it on a minor match?

Sect Master Xia shot to his feet and shouted, “No—don’t eat that—!”

But it was too late. Wang Gang had already swallowed it.

A surge of immense spiritual energy rushed into his dantian. It felt like something inside him had ignited. His power suddenly soared several times over. With just two effortless moves, he knocked his opponent unconscious.

Wang Gang stared at his hands in a daze. What just happened?

Why can’t I seem to control my strength anymore?

Sect Master Xia collapsed back into his chair, muttering, “What a waste… what a complete waste… Who raised this little money-burning idiot? My poor heart…”

The other Sect Leaders sneered.

“Sect Master Xia, trying to win by throwing money around? Isn’t that basically cheating? Makes your sect look like it’s just filthy rich.”

Fuming, Sect Master Xia slammed the table and stood up. “Cut the crap! What kind of family gives their disciples Purple Cloud Pills?! I don’t even have one of those myself!”

He whipped his head around. “Whose disciple is this?! Step forward! Who raised such a brainless fool?!”

Elder Su sheepishly raised his hand and stood up. “Sect Leader, uh… he’s my disciple…”

Sect Master Xia: “…”

Seriously, Old Su? You had to chime in now?

We all know you’re loaded with Spirit Stones, but you can’t just throw Purple Cloud Pills at your disciples like candy!

Elder Su scratched his nose and explained, “Don’t look at me like that. Even if I had all the Spirit Stones in the world, I wouldn’t spend them on a Purple Cloud Pill for a disciple. You know how rare that pill is. There’s no way I could’ve gotten one.”

Sect Master Xia couldn’t scold Elder Su, nor could he beat him up.

He sighed. “What the hell is going on? Call him over and ask.”

“Yes, sir.”

A moment later, Wang Gang walked up to the platform. He was even more confused than the Sect Leaders. What kind of pill did Junior Brother give me this time? How did it boost my strength so much…

He barely recognized his own body anymore. It was kind of terrifying.

Sect Master Xia took a closer look and realized—ah, it was that lucky brat from before.

He asked expressionlessly, “Wang Gang, where did you get that Purple Cloud Pill? How could you just eat something like that in the middle of the Grand Competition?!”

“Purple Cloud Pill?” Wang Gang scratched the back of his head and muttered, “So that’s what it’s called, huh.”