You Betrayed the Sect, So Why Regret It Now? - Chapter 11:

Chapter 11: Inner Sect Disciple Competition:

Li Chen swallowed a Qi Essence Pill.

As the pill entered his body, his strength surged rapidly. 

With the Heaven-Devouring Demonic Art, his cultivation speed far surpassed that of the Qilin Holy Land’s technique. 

He quickly broke down the pill’s essence and absorbed it completely into his body.

He had to advance as soon as possible to stand a chance against that madwoman from the Heavenly Demon Clan. Li Chen knew how dangerous Meng Huanxiang was. 

Especially now, when he was only at the Foundation Establishment Realm, while the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Demon Clan was at the Peak Great Ascension Realm. For someone like her, killing him would be as easy as crushing an ant.

Cultivation realms were important, but so were treasure artifacts and techniques. 

Fortunately, in the Myriad Demons Sect, there was no shortage of either. 

Once he reached the Golden Core Realm, he could begin studying divine abilities. 

In the past, he had only learned divine abilities from the Qilin Holy Land. But now that he had a second chance at life, he planned to study the Myriad Demons Sect’s divine techniques instead.

After all, the Myriad Demons Sect was still a major sect. Its divine abilities and cultivation methods were naturally plentiful.

He already had an idea of which ones he would cultivate. 

Right now, there was no point in practicing sword arts or techniques. Only upon reaching the Golden Core Realm could he truly unleash power. 

The Qi Refining Realm was the foundation—it allowed one to gather spiritual energy. 

The Foundation Establishment Realm was the core of progress—it transformed that energy into true qi. 

But the Golden Core Realm was a turning point, condensing a golden core that converted true qi into magic power. 

If the Foundation Establishment Realm was a threshold, then the Golden Core Realm was the moment one displayed true power. It was also the stage where one could form divine ability seeds. 

Each divine ability had different powers, and when paired with treasure artifacts, the effect could be beyond imagination. Therefore, in the Foundation Establishment Realm, there was no need to waste time learning magic techniques.

Li Chen opened his eyes. He had been in the Myriad Demons Sect for two days and had yet to explore it. 

Now, he planned to take a look around, since this place would be his home from now on. 

The Myriad Demons Sect had ten mountain peaks, and the place where he was currently cultivating was Fu Yao’s cave residence. Fu Yao was the Holy Maiden of the Myriad Demons Sect and had her own dedicated peak. 

Although Li Chen had joined the sect, it was impossible for him to continue living here. The sect had its own rules—he was in the Foundation Establishment Realm, so he was considered an inner sect disciple and should be living in the area designated for inner sect disciples, not here.

The Qilin Holy Land had a hundred peaks and covered thousands of miles. 

Compared to that, the Myriad Demons Sect was clearly inferior. 

As soon as Li Chen stepped out of the cave residence, he saw many disciples in the Foundation Establishment Realm flying on swords toward the Myriad Demons Square. 

He also flew toward the square on his sword. Like the Qilin Holy Land, the Myriad Demons Sect had its own arena where disciples could compete. 

Most of the battles were between Foundation Establishment Realm disciples. Once they reached the Golden Core Realm, they’d begin practicing divine abilities and could form divine ability seeds.

Li Chen stood at the edge of the crowd, quietly watching the competition.

“That’s Bai Mingjie from White Bone Mountain. They say he’s the strongest Foundation Establishment Realm disciple there,” someone whispered.

“What’s he doing here?” another asked.

“What else? He’s obviously here to compete. The five great holy lands and the ten demonic sects are all testing their strength against each other. Bai Mingjie already went to several sects and defeated many powerful disciples.”

“He’s impressive. I wonder if Senior Brother Zhang Ming can handle him?”

“Earlier, several senior brothers went up, but they couldn’t last more than five moves.”

“Here comes Zhang Ming!”

Li Chen smiled faintly. Competitions between disciples… he had been the same back then—full of ambition and eager to prove himself. Watching them reminded him of his younger self. After all, he had once reached the Great Ascension Realm.

Turning his head, Li Chen saw several disciples surrounding a young man with a long sword and a sharp gaze, staring at Bai Mingjie on the stage. Bai Mingjie called out loudly, “Zhang Ming, you’re the top Foundation Establishment disciple of the Myriad Demons Sect, and I’m the pride of White Bone Mountain. Come up here and fight me!”

“I’ve already defeated top disciples from other sects. You’re my fifth match,” Bai Mingjie declared boldly, challenging Zhang Ming.

Zhang Ming, holding his long sword, flew up to the stage with equal confidence. “Bai Mingjie, this will be your final match.”

Bai Mingjie laughed heartily. “Is that so? Let’s see what you’ve got!”

An Elder standing outside the arena smiled and reminded, “This is just a friendly competition. No killing—stop once victory is clear.”

Whether it was the five great holy lands or the ten demonic sects, they often compared their disciples’ strength. These were sparring matches—meant to test ability, not to injure or kill.

Not just Foundation Establishment Realm disciples were watching. 

Powerful cultivators in the Soul Formation Realm and Void Refinement Realm were also observing through divine sense. 

These competitions reflected the sect’s reputation, and they also provided an opportunity to spot promising talents. If any geniuses stood out, they would be taken in as personal disciples.

“That Bai Mingjie isn’t bad. He’s about to condense his golden core. White Bone Mountain is about to gain another Golden Core Realm disciple.”

“I’m afraid Zhang Ming won’t be able to handle him.”

“Our Myriad Demons Sect has a gap between the generations. I hoped to find someone promising among the inner sect disciples, but they’re all too mediocre. Most will never progress past the Golden Core Realm.”

“They’ve started fighting.”

“Hah, it’s like watching children brawl. What’s the point?”

Their divine senses exchanged remarks, though the Foundation Establishment Realm disciples had no idea. Li Chen didn’t know either—he was still too weak to use divine sense.

On the stage, Bai Mingjie held a long blade while Zhang Ming held a long sword. They stood facing each other. Li Chen glanced over and chuckled. Their flashy moves—Spring and Autumn Sword Art, Demon Subjugation Blade Technique—were all showy nonsense. They were still in the Foundation Establishment Realm, and their true qi leaked with every move. 

They hadn’t reached the Golden Core Realm, where true qi transformed into magic power. Once one had magic power, that’s when true dominance began.

Clang! Clang! Clang!…

After a brief exchange of more than ten moves, Zhang Ming started losing ground. In a flash, Bai Mingjie placed his blade at Zhang Ming’s neck.

“Bai Mingjie wins.”

Zhang Ming’s face turned pale, defeated in just over a dozen moves.

“You managed to withstand twelve moves. Not bad,” Bai Mingjie sneered.

Zhang Ming clenched his teeth in anger. It was one thing to lose, but to be humiliated afterward…

Li Chen smiled again. Bai Mingjie had so many flaws. Just one strike would be enough to defeat him. Their understanding of sword and blade techniques was still basic—they hadn’t even grasped the true essence.

Just then, a young girl nearby noticed Li Chen’s smile and was immediately displeased. “What are you laughing at? If you’re so capable, why don’t you go up and fight Bai Mingjie yourself? I bet you wouldn’t last two moves.”

Li Chen teased, “If I went up, wouldn’t that be bullying him?”

Others nearby heard the comment and turned their heads, curious.

“Who is this guy with such a big mouth?”

“If you’re so confident, go up there! All you can do is talk.”

“Senior Brother Zhang Ming is the best Foundation Establishment disciple and still lost. If you go up, you’ll wet your pants in fear.”

“Exactly. Go on then, what are you afraid of?”

“If you’re scared, then don’t laugh.”

Li Chen just smiled. Ah, youth. The other disciples scolded him in their minds but couldn’t help laughing. “You go try it then?”

Li Chen hadn’t meant to mock them. He simply saw his younger self in them. After all, he was over a hundred years old now—how could he compete with youngsters?

But Bai Mingjie noticed Li Chen’s smile and grew irritated. “That Senior Brother over there—if you’re so confident, come up here and give me some pointers. I’d like to see what skills you’ve got to dare laugh at me.”

Everyone turned their eyes to Li Chen. 

Even the Golden Core Realm Elder looked at him with confusion. 

Who was this person? Why had they never seen him before?

Now, Li Chen had no choice but to step onto the stage. 

He had been stuck in the Qi Refining Realm for more than ten years and hadn’t fought in a long time. Today was a good day to test himself.

He drew his long sword and flew onto the stage. “Please.”

Bai Mingjie scanned him from head to toe and immediately attacked without hesitation. His blade was fast, fierce, and precise—his strikes seasoned and ruthless.

“With this blade in hand, even ghosts and gods shall flee!” Bai Mingjie roared.

Li Chen: …

He’s even shouting his attacks now?

“He actually dared to step onto the stage. I bet he won’t last five moves.”

“Five? I say three. If he lasts five, I’ll write my name backwards.”

“He’s just standing there… don’t tell me he’s so scared he wet himself?”

“Bai Mingjie is fierce. They say he’s reached the 9th stage Foundation Establishment Realm. This whole challenge was just a prelude to breaking through to the Golden Core Realm.”

Li Chen calmly watched Bai Mingjie make his move. He raised his sword effortlessly, its movements smooth and relaxed.

Everyone else stared in shock.