Chapter 121: Sect Competition (Part 5)

As her voice fell, the terrain of the Phantasmal Sound Maze changed dramatically in an instant.

Labyrinthine stone walls rose, dividing the 200 teams into 100 dueling arenas, where they began one-on-one matches to compete for points.

Lin Chen's team consisted of Princess Hu Qinlan, Princess Jin Xuan, Yin Miaoxue, and Cuier—each with their own strengths. As the captain, Lin Chen instantly formulated the tactical division of labor.

Princess Hu Qinlan was responsible for flexible maneuvering and attacks, Princess Jin Xuan focused on light and shadow illusions to disrupt the opponent's offense, Yin Miaoxue was in charge of controlling the field and protecting teammates, and Cuier was responsible for support and dispelling crowd control. As the core, Lin Chen was responsible for the transition between offense and defense.

In the first match, Lin Chen's team faced a relatively weaker team.

As the match began, Princess Hu Qinlan struck quickly with sharp Sword Qi, coordinating with Princess Jin Xuan's light and shadow illusion array to advance steadily.

Yin Miaoxue's Moon Radiance sound waves controlled the opponent's movements like a net, with Cuier providing support at all times.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the opponent was defeated.

The second and third matches were also fast-paced victories. Lin Chen's team cooperated flawlessly, encountering almost no significant obstacles.

Meanwhile, Chief Disciple Lei Ji's team also performed impressively.

Chief Disciple Lei Ji led her team members to demonstrate strong offensive and defensive capabilities, especially Meng Li, whose control and strategy kept the battle firmly in the team's hands, winning three consecutive matches.

After five duels, both Lin Chen's and Chief Disciple Lei Ji's teams ultimately earned 50 points, tying for first place.

Instructor Liu Qingwan stood on the high platform of Yinyun Square, her voice clear and bright: "After intense competition, the top 20 teams have been determined. You will head to the Nether Ghost Realm to compete for the star ancient zither. I wish you all a safe return. However, before that, the twenty teams still need to select a general captain, who will also be the final owner of the star ancient zither. Now, will the captains of the top twenty teams please come up to the stage for the championship tournament."

The gazes of those below the stage fell in unison upon Lin Chen, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment. No one stepped onto the stage; it was clear that everyone tacitly acknowledged Lin Chen's strength and did not need a duel to prove her position as the leader.

Just then, a determined voice broke the silence: "Junior Sister Lin Chen, I have no intention of competing with you for first place; I only wish to take this opportunity to see the gap between us. Please, enlighten me!"

It was Chief Disciple Lei Ji who spoke. She stepped forward, her Aura formidable.

Lin Chen smiled slightly, nodded gently, and then stepped forward as well. Her footsteps were light and graceful; simply watching her was a pleasure.

Seeing this, a hint of gratification flashed in Instructor Liu Qingwan's eyes, and she said softly: "Not bad. Every generation of Xuanyin Qin Sect Disciples competes for first place not to vie for power, but to improve one another. This is the fine tradition of our Sect."

Just as Instructor Liu Qingwan was about to make further announcements, a strong voice came from the crowd: "The star ancient zither is of extraordinary significance to our Xingyin Palace, so I must also participate in the championship tournament!"

Everyone turned to look, and the person who spoke was none other than the Chief Disciple of Xingyin Palace—Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge. She wore a pale golden gauze dress, with wide sleeves flowing like water ripples, and wore a crown inlaid with star stones. Wearing a crown inlaid with star stones symbolized that she was a Disciple of Xingyin Palace.

[Personal Disciple, clothing with a moon-white base, covered with a layer of cloud gauze as thin as light smoke. Inner Sect Disciple, clothing with a pale cyan base, covered with a layer of cloud gauze as thin as light smoke. Outer Sect Disciple, clothing with a pale pink base, covered with a layer of cloud gauze as thin as light smoke. Chief Disciple, can freely mix and match according to personal preference.]

Instructor Liu Qingwan nodded slightly and praised softly: "Good. Are there any other captains who wish to participate?" Her gaze swept around; Yinyun Square was silent, and it was clear no one else would participate.

"Since there are none, the champion team will be determined among the three captains." Instructor Liu Qingwan waved her sleeve, and a lottery box appeared in her hand. She shook it gently a few times and handed the box to the three captains: "For the sake of fairness, will the three captains please come up to the stage to draw lots."

Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge stepped forward first, drawing the first lot with a hint of nervousness on her face. Immediately after, Chief Disciple Lei Ji calmly drew one as well. Instructor Liu Qingwan turned and handed the last lot to Lin Chen, with a kind smile on her face: "Lin Chen, take it, this one is yours."

"Mm!" Lin Chen responded softly and took the last lot. Instructor Liu Qingwan announced: "Now, will the captains who drew the same number please come to the stage for the semi-finals."

Chief Disciple Lei Ji picked up the lot, unfolded it, and saw a "One" clearly written on it. Subsequently, Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge also opened her lot, which was also "One". Finally, Lin Chen unfolded her lot and saw a "Two" written on it. She revealed a beautiful smile; she hadn't expected to get a bye directly into the finals.

Chief Disciple Lei Ji and Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge exchanged a glance, and both walked onto the martial arts stage of Yinyun Square at the same time. The atmosphere instantly became tense; the surrounding Disciples held their breath, their gazes focused on the stage.

Chief Disciple Lei Ji and Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge cupped their hands in salute to each other. Chief Disciple Lei Ji looked serious: "Junior Sister Yun Ge, excuse me!"

Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge nodded gently, her eyes slightly narrowed, and without hesitation, she made the first move: "Light and Shadow Clone!"

Before her voice faded, her figure suddenly vanished, and then countless phantom images flickered onto the martial arts stage. Every figure seemed to be the real Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge, making it difficult to distinguish her true form.

This was the signature skill of Xingyin Palace—Light and Shadow Clone, which could only be used by those who had reached Major Achievement in their Cultivate. Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge could freely switch her true position within the light and shadows, and her speed was as fast as light, making her difficult to defend against.

Chief Disciple Lei Ji stood still, staring intently at the phantoms before her. She knew that if she attacked rashly, she would likely be deceived by Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge's speed. She took a deep breath, and the power of lightning surged faintly between her palms, as if ready to strike.

"Thunder Seal!" Chief Disciple Lei Ji suddenly exerted force, slamming her hands together, and the power of thunder swept out like a violent storm, instantly covering the entire martial arts stage.

The lightning wove into a net, attempting to break Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge's Clones one by one. However, Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge's figure continued to flicker, moving like the wind among the light and shadows, making it difficult for Chief Disciple Lei Ji's attacks to capture her true position.

At this moment, Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge's figure suddenly appeared behind Chief Disciple Lei Ji, a swift palm wind striking directly at Chief Disciple Lei Ji's back. Chief Disciple Lei Ji sensed the danger, turned quickly, and the lightning in her hands erupted violently.

Their powers collided violently in mid-air, stirring up a wave of intense spiritual energy fluctuations. Lightning and light and shadows intertwined, and the scene instantly became dazzlingly brilliant.

Two stunningly beautiful figures flew across the stage, and the Disciples in the audience watched without blinking. The two engaged in close-quarters combat, exchanging several moves in just a single breath, fighting to a standstill.

Suddenly, Chief Disciple Lei Ji's Thunder Seal missed, her palm wind striking one of Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge's phantom images. Star Sound Fairy Yun Ge seized this opening, quickly closing in, and before Chief Disciple Lei Ji could react, she struck a palm precisely onto Chief Disciple Lei Ji's slim waist.

The force of that strike was so great that it sent Chief Disciple Lei Ji's body flying backward, her full breasts swaying violently with the movement. She struggled in mid-air and ultimately landed heavily on the fighting stage with a dull thud.