I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Li Xiaobai’s performance amazed everyone, with his fellow senior brothers and sisters undoubtedly the happiest.

As fellow disciples, they had a special kind of affection that differed from common cultivators; the better Li Xiaobai performed, the happier they naturally were.

The contests that followed were rather dull, with mostly incompetent fighters pecking at each other, if not being brutally thrashed by geniuses.

Soon, the top ten were determined.

Apart from the seven from Misty Peak, there was another prodigy, plus one lucky fellow.

The first place in this competition was supposed to come with a decent reward. Several senior brothers and sisters resolutely gave up on the subsequent contests, and the lucky one was also sensible enough to willingly abstain.

The remaining prodigy made a bitter face as he looked at Li Xiaobai and likewise declared his forfeiture.

Li Xiaobai scratched his head, puzzled as to how he had inexplicably come first. Were these people really giving him so much face?

Feng Qingyang was also covered in metaphorical black lines across his forehead; today’s competition could be considered the most unreliable one he had encountered in his decades of service.

It started with various displays of arrogance and face-slapping that no one could dissuade; and now, upon reaching the final stages, everyone was quicker to concede than the next. The youth of today were truly difficult to handle.

Their thoughts were too erratic for him to follow; Feng Qingyang inwardly sighed, feeling that he had aged, become out of touch with the times.

“Since the nine of you have chosen to abstain, the winner of this competition is Ye Liangchen!”

“You nine will become Inner Sect Disciples of the Holy Demon Sect and will henceforth reside on Holy Demon Peak. As for Ye Liangchen, he will receive a special reward.”

Feng Qingyang said.

The multitude of cultivators below widened their eyes, all curious about what this special reward might be.

In the past, it was usually something like a Spiritual Artifact or a Cultivation Technique used to gloss things over.

However, the standard of this year’s competition obviously surpassed any in the past, and if the Great Elder were to resort to common treasures as a makeshift reward, it would just appear petty.

Li Xiaobai, for one, didn’t expect this old man to offer him anything worthwhile. After all, the elder had been reluctant to give him even a few hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones previously. What kind of impressive thing could he possibly do?

Feng Qingyang still wore a full smile, oblivious to Li Xiaobai’s real thoughts. If he knew, he’d probably spurt out a mouthful of old blood on the spot.

“So, saying that…”

Feng Qingyang was about to continue speaking when a streak of light glided from the sky, landing upon the platform.

He was taken aback. Why had this person come?

The newcomer was also an elder of the Holy Demon Sect, surnamed Yue, the grandfather of Inner Sect disciple Yue Fan. He never attended any events usually, so what had brought the old man out today?

Feng Qingyang frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

“Elder Yue,” he greeted with clasped hands and a bow.

“Elder Feng, I’ve come to see the competition among the disciples for advancement, but it seems I’ve missed it. May I know who the victor is?” Elder Yue inquired with a cheery expression.

“This is him, the pride of our Northern Region, Ye Liangchen.”

In an instant, Feng Qingyang understood the elder’s true motive for coming; while still unclear about the details, he emphasized on purpose that this was a genius from the Northern Region as if to say, ‘Don’t get any funny ideas.’

“Ah, I see, truly a fine figure of a man. What reward do you plan to give?” Elder Yue asked, still in high spirits, as if he hadn’t caught the warning in Feng Qingyang’s words.

“Naturally, it will be… miraculous elixirs…”

Actually, he had intended to say it would be a Cultivation Technique, but that somehow felt inadequate and just couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Ye Xiaoyou, do you think the cultivation technique is useful to you?” Elder Yue asked.

Li Xiaobai looked at the seemingly amiable white-haired old man in front of him and said without hesitation, “Not in the slightest.”

Feng Qingyang’s face darkened, if you find it useless then just say so, what’s this ‘not in the slightest’? Do you not care about your face?

Li Xiaobai was telling the truth, he didn’t need to practice cultivation, so why would he need cultivation techniques? He would rather have some spirit stones instead.

“Then may I know what kind of reward you would like?” Feng Qingyang asked through gritted teeth.

“I’m not asking for much, just some spirit stones will do,” Li Xiaobai said offhandedly.

Feng Qingyang breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully he wasn’t making outrageous demands; it seemed the kid had some conscience: “Spirit stones are not a problem. The thing our Holy Demon Sect is least short of is spirit stones. How many do you want?”

“One or eight hundred thousand?” Li Xiaobai ventured.

“Lower Grade spirit stones?”

“Upper Grade spirit stones.”

“Are you dreaming?” Feng Qingyang could no longer hold back; he always had the feeling that the kid below was making a fool of him.

“Didn’t you say the sect is never short of spirit stones?”

Li Xiaobai scratched his head, a bit bewildered; this old man really had no class, changing his attitude so quickly.

“Ahem, may I offer some advice?” Elder Yue said.

“Please speak, Elder Yue.”

“Since Ye Xiaoyou wishes for spirit stones, I have a way that can let you amass a large number of spirit stones in a short time.”

“Oh? Please enlighten me, Elder Yue.”

Li Xiaobai perked up; right now, apart from attribute points, what he needed most were spirit stones. There were many high-quality items that he simply couldn’t afford with the savings in his ring.

“Speaking of the best way to earn spirit stones within the sect, naturally, one must have their own property. Almost each of us elders owns a mountain peak, and with just a bit of management, the income from spirit stones rolls in uncontrollably.”

“I suggest we also assign a mountain peak to Ye Xiaoyou and appoint him as an Honorary Elder of the Holy Demon Sect. Not only would it allow Ye Xiaoyou to earn spirit stones, but it would also contribute to the sect. Even securing a place on that list is not out of the question.”

Elder Yue said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the disciples below erupted into murmurs. Most had never touched upon this level; the list was something only true geniuses could enter, and ordinary people might never get the chance to see it in their lifetimes.

“However, our Holy Demon Sect has no spare mountain peaks left; this might not be appropriate.”

“Isn’t the mountain peak of the menial disciples always vacant? It would be just right for Ye Xiaoyou to manage.”

Feng Qingyang was startled; so this was the old man’s plan.

Contributions to the sect, rankings on the list—those were just excuses. The other party simply wanted to tie Li Xiaobai down to the mountain peak of the menial disciples.

As everyone knows, the place where menial disciples reside has no rights to speak of, anyone can trample over them as they please. As for the title of Honorary Elder, it’s nothing more than a nominal position with no real power, a completely sidelined role.

This old man’s move was probably an attempt to do away with Li Xiaobai on the mountain peak of the menial disciples.

“Thank you, Elder Yue. Liangchen is willing to take on the role of Honorary Elder and manage the mountain peak where the menial disciples reside.”

Li Xiaobai was overjoyed. To be able to join the management and get assigned a mountain peak just after arriving—this offer was too tempting as if it were tailored just for him.

“Hold on, this might be improper, for those who manage a mountain peak are all those who have shared hardships with the sect. Although Ye Xiaoyou is a prodigy, he lacks seniority, and I disagree!”

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