My Life as a Cultivator in a Game

Chapter 18: Too Painful to Watch

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Dugu Fang continued, “Next is the preliminary stage. As usual, it will be a one-on-one competition, with the winners advancing and the losers being eliminated.”

As he spoke, Dugu Fang waved his hand, and numerous small stone tablets appeared in the air. These tablets turned into streams of light and landed in front of each outer sect disciple on the square.

Lu Yi received the stone tablet floating in front of him and glanced at it. It was engraved with 101-25.

Lu Yi had some understanding of this. Although he had not participated in the Outer Sect Grand Competition before, he had watched it several times.

The numbers on the tablet indicated the platform number and the round of the match. Combined, it represented the 101st platform and the 25th round.

The Martial Arena was massive, with a total of 320 platforms. The 101st platform was considered to be in a relatively forward position.

At this moment, Wang Wulian looked at his stone tablet and asked, “I’m on platform number 28. How about you guys?”

Lu Ling smiled faintly and replied, “I’m number 211.”

Wang Xinqi said, “I’m on platform number 7.”

The three of them looked at Lu Yi. Lu Yi smiled and said, “Platform number 101.”

Wang Wulian, Lu Ling, and Wang Xinqi all breathed a sigh of relief. Wang Xinqi chuckled and said, “Thank goodness I’m not on the same platform as Lu Yi. Otherwise, I’d be in trouble.”

“Yeah, with Lu Yi’s strength, if I were on the same platform, I might get eliminated in the early rounds if I’m in bad luck,” Wang Wulian nodded in agreement.

Lu Yi laughed, “You all gave me too much credit. I’m not that strong.”

The three of them rolled their eyes, not believing Lu Yi’s modesty. They knew very well how strong he actually was.

While they were chatting, Dugu Fang’s voice sounded again, “Alright, now all participating disciples, proceed to your designated platform areas, and referees, take your positions.”

As Dugu Fang finished speaking, figures representing referees landed on each platform in the sky. They were the referees for this Outer Sect Grand Competition.

Lu Yi smiled at Wang Wulian and the others, he said, “Good luck to you all.”

The three of them exchanged glances and nodded.

Lu Ling smiled and said, “We’ll take your good wishes, Lu Yi. With your skills, you’ll surely excel in the competition.”

Wang Wulian grinned and said, “I’ll go first!”

Wang Xinqi appeared a bit nervous, saying, “Then I’ll head over as well.”

The four of them parted ways, and Lu Yi made his way to platform number 101.

Soon, Lu Yi found platform number 101. There were already over a hundred people standing below the platform, all outer sect disciples participating in this round of matches. Those disciples had initially looked somewhat relaxed, but their expressions froze when they saw Lu Yi.

“Lu Yi…!”

“Damn, why am I so unlucky? To actually be on the same platform as Lu Yi?!”

“Ah!! I was hoping to make it to the top one thousand. I hope I don’t run into Lu Yi in the early rounds…”

One outer sect disciple after another wore looks of despair.

Lu Yi felt very innocent. He did not get to choose which platform he would be on.

The referee on the platform was named Feng Tian, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man. Naturally, he recognized Lu Yi, who had been gaining quite a reputation in the outer sect lately. He could not help but take a few more glances.

‘It had to be said that Lu Yi had a decent appearance that should appeal to young girls. But the real question was whether his strength was as impressive as rumored. We’ll find out soon enough.’ Feng Tian thought.

As all the participating disciples found their platforms, Dugu Fang’s voice rang out again, “Let the matches begin.”

With that, Dugu Fang raised his hands and ascended into the air, joining the other elders. A middle-aged man with black hair among them smiled faintly, “Grand Elder Dugu, you’ve worked hard.”

Dugu Fang looked down at the platforms and replied calmly, “The outer sect is where we cultivate elites for White Cloud Sect. The Outer Sect Grand Competition is of utmost importance. As the Grand Elder of the outer sect, these are my duties. What hardship is there?”

“Grand Elder Dugu, your dedication is admirable!”

“We should learn from the Grand Elder Dugu.”

One elder after another spoke in agreement.

Dugu Fang sighed, “It’s a pity that the number of people who passed the selection this year hasn’t increased much. It seems that exceptional talents are hard to come by…”

Upon hearing that, Elder Qi Feiyu from the Affairs Hall smiled and said, “Grand Elder Dugu, I have news regarding that. You’ve been in seclusion all this month and might not know, but we’ve actually produced a genius in the outer sect recently.”

Upon hearing that, Dugu Fang was taken aback and looked at Qi Feiyu curiously. Dugu Fang asked, “Oh? What genius?”

“I’m sure the other elders are aware. That Lu Yi from White Spirit Peak has comprehended the White Cloud Sword to the Regain Simplicity stage,” Qi Feiyu replied with a smile.

“Lu Yi? I’ve heard that name recently. They say he has good aptitude.”

“Yes, I heard that Lin Feng recently went on a trip for the sect and had Lui Ningshuang deliver the lecture. She speaks highly of Lu Yi.”

“In my opinion, with such comprehension ability, he might even have a chance to break through to the Nascent Soul stage.”

Numerous elders exchanged words, discussing Lu Yi.

Hearing their discussion, Dugu Fang’s eyes brightened. He spoke, “Comprehended the Regain Simplicity stage in White Cloud Sword? That’s truly remarkable. If someone can comprehend a stage like that, their achievements won’t be lacking. And to receive recognition from Lui Ningshuang? Perhaps there’s hope for him to break through to the Nascent Soul stage?”

Dugu Fang became more and more delighted. He asked, “How old is this Lu Yi?”

The elders exchanged glances. They were all elders and would not ask about others’ ages.

At this moment, Qi Feiyu smiled and answered, “Lu Yi’s parents are attendants in our White Cloud Sect. They work in my Affairs Hall. I’ve looked into it. That child is only sixteen years old, and I heard he recently reached the Level 7 Qi Refiner stage.”

“Only sixteen? I see!” Dugu Fang’s smile grew wider. “Which platform is Lu Yi on?”

Qi Feiyu had been closely monitoring Lu Yi from the beginning. Upon hearing Dugu Fang’s question, he pointed directly and said, “He’s on platform number 101.”

…

As Dugu Fang announced the start of the competition, the referee on platform number 101, Feng Tian, spoke, “Alright, contestant number one, step onto the platform.”

Two cultivators with the number one on their stone tablets jumped onto the platform.

Lu Yi glanced at them. Both of them were at the Level 6 Qi Refiner stage. In fact, after the selection, the number of cultivators at the Level 6 Qi Refiner stage was the largest. Following that were those at Level 5 and Level 7.

Once a cultivator reached the Level 8 Qi Refiner stage, the number of outer sect disciples drastically decreased. There were only a little over a thousand at Level 8 and even fewer at Level 9. As for Level 10, there were fewer than ten individuals.

The two Level 6 Qi Refiner disciples saluted each other, and the battle began. Lu Yi started out watching with enthusiasm, but he quickly grew bored. Both of them only had a rudimentary grasp of their techniques. One had achieved a Minor Mastery, while the other had not even reached that level. Watching their moves full of flaws and clumsiness, Lu Yi felt as if he were witnessing a farce.

‘With this level of skill, even with my eyes closed, I could defeat them…’ Lu Yi thought.

After a short exchange, the disciple with a Minor Mastery in his technique emerged as the victor.

The first match concluded, and the second one began shortly after. Round after round passed, and Lu Yi was beginning to doze off. Thinking about having to compete on this platform for several rounds, it was too painful for Lu Yi to enjoy watching the competition.