However, according to Yang Yan’s knowledge, it seems there are no core disciples in this year’s new student competition.

There are only inner sect disciples and outer sect disciples.

Although the Fourth Prince, Long Ming, has been taken as a pupil by the Sect Leader, he has not yet officially been accepted as a disciple.

So according to the rules of the Ancient Abyss Sect, he still cannot be considered a core disciple.

Therefore, for this new student competition, the only thing Yang Yan is interested in is the first place reward.

The Butcher Palace, rumored to be a small palace spiritual treasure, is considered a middle-grade among spiritual treasures.

Its size can be adjusted at will, as small as the palm of a hand, but as large as an ordinary palace.

Imagine, in the wilderness, a man and woman are traveling, night falls, the man waves his sleeve, and a palace appears out of thin air...

Hehe!

The scene would be indescribably wonderful.

Of course, this is just one of Yang Yan’s trivial thoughts.

What he truly values is the grade of this spiritual treasure.

After some intensive study, he has come to have a considerable understanding of this world.

The spiritual artifacts used in the cultivation world are classified into magical artifacts, magical treasures, and spiritual treasures by their levels.

Magical artifacts are the most basic magical implements.

They are generally used by disciples below the sixth level of Qi Cultivation.

Magical treasures and spiritual treasures are again subdivided into four sub-grades:

Low-grade, middle-grade, high-grade, and supreme-grade. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

The first place prize of this new student competition, the Butcher Palace, is a middle-grade spiritual treasure.

Such a good thing, even some elders within the sect regard it with great value, so the newly arrived Yang Yan is naturally envious.

Of course, some capable newcomers are also eager to try and showcase their skills in the competition to win the treasure, achieving fame and fortune.

But there are also smart people who have already seen through everything and sneer at it.

The reward for first place in this new student competition is so generous, probably prepared for the disciple with the Celestial Flood Dragon Saint Body!

Of course, knowing is easier than doing.

Under such a valuable treasure, there are still quite a few who dare to challenge it.

Yang Yan didn’t know he would have many competitors for the championship; at this moment, he was leisurely walking down the Ten Thousand Mountains with Gu Sheng.

The Ancient Abyss Sect’s new student competition will officially commence this morning.

It seems the Ten Thousand Mountains hasn’t received the news of the new student competition.

On the mountain path, there were only Yang Yan and Gu Sheng.

"Isn’t it said that all disciples of the Ancient Abyss Sect will return to observe the ceremony?"

Yang Yan looked around, seeing no one, and couldn’t help but ask in a low voice.

"Young master, the senior brothers of the three hundred Marquis Mansions in the inner sect will probably wait until a certain time to go."

Gu Sheng cautiously replied from behind.

"Why?"

Yang Yan asked suspiciously.

Gu Sheng sneered:

"What else! Naturally, it’s to show their different status!"

Yang Yan gently shook his head and laughed lightly:

"Ha! After all, not outer sect disciples, why distinguish ranks."

After leaving these words, he didn’t say more, and along with Gu Sheng, continued leisurely towards the arena.

The arena is the training ground where disciples’ qualifications were previously tested, located on the main mountain of the Ancient Abyss Sect, the Ancient Mountain.

The training ground is very large, enough to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people.

Originally without stands, now they appeared out of thin air.

Previously without those rows of platforms, now they have sprung up.

Such is the means of immortals!

When Yang Yan and Gu Sheng arrived, it was neither early nor late.

Only about half the crowd had gathered, roughly around a hundred thousand disciples.

Most were wearing gray robes of the named disciples, making up at least three-fifths of the total.

Green-robed disciples accounted for two-fifths, while none were inner sect disciples.

However, Yang Yan did notice many black-robed sect stewards on the scene.

The cultivation of these stewards was generally around the fifth and sixth levels of Qi Cultivation.

The highest was only the seventh level of Qi Cultivation.

Initially, Yang Yan thought the stewards should have considerable status in the Ancient Abyss Sect.

Now it seems, it’s not as he thought.

Then, he turned back to ask Gu Sheng:

"Where did these sect stewards come from?"

Gu Sheng replied with his head lowered:

"Young master, most of these stewards are outer sect disciples who cannot advance further. They are primarily responsible for handling various sect affairs."

"Because stewards receive more resources from the sect, many outer sect disciples can use this opportunity to break through to the sixth or even seventh level of Qi Cultivation."

"However, these people can no longer enter the inner sect. Oh, there is one exception..."

Gu Sheng suddenly seemed to recall something and glanced at Yang Yan with some hesitation.

Yang Yan immediately nodded, signaling Gu Sheng to continue.

"Sometimes, when the sect assigns tasks and there aren’t enough stewards, they issue tasks at the Task Hall."

"Outer sect disciples who have the time and meet the cultivation requirements can take on a task and act as temporary stewards for the sect."

So that’s it...

It seems that the Steward Yu tested earlier must be the latter case.

After all, Steward Yu looked very young, with clearly good aptitude, so it wouldn’t be due to aptitude that he turned to the steward position.

But Gu Sheng’s hesitation, evidently wanting to remind me, indicates I should strive for similar opportunities if they arise.

Yang Yan appeared to understand this very well.

People seek higher ground.

Though Gu Sheng may not have that opportunity, it didn’t prevent him from hoping that I climb higher, so he can also rise with me.

At this time, the crowd around began to grow gradually.

Among them were primarily more named disciples arriving.

But there were also many outer sect disciples riding flying swords, descending together like a group of friends.

Their appearance attracted the admiration of another group of named disciples.

As half an hour slowly passed, a variety of dressed disciples began to arrive.

These people had an indifferent expression of looking down upon others, and when they arrived from the sky, all the named and outer sect disciples showed expressions of respect and admiration.

These people were naturally the genuine inner sect disciples.

Not only are they given abundant resources by the sect, but the constraints on them are also greatly reduced.

For example, inner sect disciples can wear what they like, as long as it does not affect the sect’s image.

After descending, the inner sect disciples sat in groups on the stands and started conversing with each other.

They paid no attention to the standing outer and named disciples below.

The stands on both sides were enough to seat tens of thousands.

However, only a small number of inner sect disciples were seated at this moment.

"Are these stands prepared for the inner sect disciples and sect leaders?"

Yang Yan asked aloud.

Before Gu Sheng could answer, an outer sect disciple nearby suddenly turned, looked at Yang Yan, and smiled:

"These stands have never had a rule. You can sit as long as you arrive first."

"Moreover, even if all sect leaders and inner sect disciples combine, they won’t reach tens of thousands, so some must be left available."

"Not to mention that some inner sect senior brothers are in seclusion, so the sect won’t demand it of them."