After being reborn, all I want to do is run away.

Chapter 46 Strong Benefits

Inside a room at the Wind Sound Platform, a long table was placed in the center of the room, with the black-robed elder sitting at the front of the table. Ten young men and women were arranged in pairs on both sides of the table; they were the newly selected top ten outer disciples.

Five elders and their disciples were among them, firmly occupying one side of the long table. Shen Xu didn't recognize anyone on his side except for Wang Bu, but what puzzled him was that the girl in blue didn't seem to blame him and was even smiling at him.

Wasn't she on very good terms with Shen Guangjian? She was even very likely the granddaughter of the elder Shen Guangjian married in his past life. Logically, since he had ruined Shen Guangjian's life, the girl should hate him. Shen Xu suddenly felt a little confused.

Just then, the black-robed elder sitting at the front of the long table spoke up: "First of all, congratulations on standing out from thousands of people. There's nothing important about gathering everyone together this time. It's just a meal that the sect is rewarding you with. This is an old tradition of our sect."

When the food is served, don't be shy, or you'll be the ones who suffer. Remember to take whatever you want to eat. You should know that there are some things here that you might not be able to eat often even if you become elders of the sect later. I'm only able to enjoy this feast because of your good fortune.

Oh, right! My surname is Chen, you can call me Elder Chen. I'm in charge of your duel tomorrow. Some of you know me, some don't, but that doesn't matter. After today, you'll all know me.

However, before we eat, I have something I want to tell you about tomorrow's outer sect competition. Please listen carefully, because I will only say it once!

As you all know, the sect leader and elders from each hall will be present for tomorrow's finals. So even if you don't have the strength to compete for a top-five finish, you should still try your best to showcase your abilities. You might just catch the eye of one of the elders and be accepted as a disciple. There are precedents for this in the sect.

Secondly, let's talk about tomorrow's schedule and the competition rules. The process is simple: you'll go up on stage to compete, and then receive your awards.

As for the rules, everyone has worked hard to become one of the top ten and get a ticket to tomorrow's showdown. Naturally, the sects will not determine the rankings based on just one match like before, so everyone will have multiple opportunities.

Tomorrow, the draw will still be a two-on-two duel, followed by a redraw. The person who loses twice will be eliminated. Then, the remaining people will continue to draw lots for duels, and the person who loses twice in a row will be eliminated. The last person remaining will be the top outer disciple in this competition.

As for second and third place, the final ranking will be based on the number of wins. If the number of wins is the same, then another round of competition will be held, because only the top three will receive the sect leader's reward and a direct entry into the inner sect, while the others may only receive a consolation prize.

"I've finished speaking. Does anyone have any questions?" Elder Chen asked, scanning the crowd.

"Elder, what about those who don't get a bye?" a young girl in a green robe asked from near the long table.

“Naturally, we’ll advance directly to the next round. Luck is also a form of strength!” Elder Chen said with a smile.

"A tie?"

"They will advance to the next round, but if there are too many draws, it raises suspicions of match-fixing, and they will be eliminated."

"Does Elder Chen know what the sect leader's reward is?"

"If you can obtain it, don't you naturally know what it is?"

"Does anyone else have any questions?" Elder Chen continued to ask.

Seeing the quiet young men and women below, Chen Feng smiled and said, "Then let's serve the food! I wish you all good luck tomorrow. You can also exchange ideas with each other. Although you will be opponents tomorrow, you will all be fellow disciples afterward, so don't make things too awkward."

As Chen Feng finished speaking, one after another, black-clad stewards brought out plates of dishes that Shen Xu had never seen before, filling the table to the brim.

"It's a pity you're too young to drink alcohol, so have some juice instead!" Chen Feng said with a smile, dividing one of the two porcelain bottles on the table into two.

"Don't be shy, and don't worry about your image. Today, you're all welcome to eat to your heart's content," Chen Feng said, holding up a strangely shaped fruit.

As Chen Feng took the initiative to pick up his chopsticks, everyone else followed suit and began to feast. The dishes on the table not only tasted delicious but were also rich in vital energy, including some that Shen Xu felt were very beneficial to his body after just eating them.

Chen Feng also left the room, leaving only the ten of them. The group gradually began to talk, but there was still a clear distance between the five people on the left and the five people on the right of the long table.

Seeing the signs, Shen Xu guessed that the situation would likely be even more serious within the inner sect.

However, taking this opportunity, Shen Xu also learned the identities of the other three people on their side through Wang Bu. They were Chen Kaijia from the Chen family of Qingzhu City, Lu Qingqing from the Lu family of Qingshan City, and Yan Qingxue from Yunlong City.

These three cities are also the three largest cities belonging to the Qingzhu Sword Sect. It's not surprising that Qingzhu City, as the oldest city, has two people in the top ten. However, it's quite surprising that Yunlong City, as a relatively new city, also has two people in the top ten, and even if it weren't him, Shen Guangjian would be.

Moreover, everyone involved came from a family of cultivators; there wasn't a single commoner among them. This shows just how difficult it is for ordinary people to cultivate in this world.

Even Shen Xu, the most down-on-his-luck person here, had the Qingfeng Technique and a small amount of Qi-Nourishing Pills when he was in the Shen family.

After everyone had finished their meal and drinks, Shen Xu and Wang Bu walked out of the Wind-Sounding Platform together. Wang Bu smiled and said to him, "I have a small gathering here. Would Junior Brother Shen do me the honor of joining us?"

"Since Senior Brother Wang has invited me, I have no reason to refuse!"

"Then Junior Brother Shen, please follow me!"

Following Wang Bu, Shen Xu arrived at a garden. The garden was brightly lit, with carved beams and painted rafters, and was extremely beautiful. At this moment, three people were sitting in a pavilion in the garden. They were the same three people who were sitting on the same side of the long table as him.

"I wonder what brings you, Brother Wang, to Bichun Garden?" Yan Qingxue asked.

"Brother Yan, why are you in such a hurry? Isn't the scenery in my garden beautiful?"

"It's good, but I have no heart to appreciate it!"

"Brother Yan, what troubles you? Why don't you tell me?" Wang Bu led Shen Xu into the pavilion.

"It's worrying that among the five of us, only Junior Brother Shen has a chance of receiving the sect leader's reward," Yan Qingxue sighed.

“Junior Brother Yan, Junior Brother Shen’s strength is indeed undeniable, and I won’t argue with you. But you’re probably overestimating those five elders’ disciples!” Chen Kaijia said with some dissatisfaction.

"Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Yan probably means that the five elders' disciples will unite against us," said Lu Qingqing, the girl in green, softly.

"What do you mean?" Chen Kaijia asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Let me explain to Senior Brother Chen!" Wang Bu said.

"Actually, it's all the fault of the rules of this competition."